Bangladesh main opposition BNP is planning to hold a public rally in Dhaka on March 11 demanding the release of its chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.
The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has also sought permission from authorities concerned to organise the rally at the capital’s Suhrawardy Udyan, said BNP senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi at a press conference.
“We have already started taking necessary preparations for the programme,” he said.
He said they have already sent letters to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner and the Public Works Department seeking permission for the rally.
Rizvi also said earlier the BNP was denied permission to hold a rally on February 22 at the same venue showing causes of International Mother Language Day programme and the Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
On February 8, BNP chief Zia was sent to jail after a special court sentenced her to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case.
Apart from the March 11 programme in Dhaka, BNP’s Khulna divisional unit will hold a rally in that city on March 10 demanding Zia’s release, said Rizvi.
He alleged that police obstructed the party’s peaceful leaflet distribution programme on Thursday in different parts of the country, including Thakurgaon, Bogra, Manikganj, Moulvibazar and Bandarban.
The BNP leader also claimed police arrested some of their leaders and left many others injured by attacking their workers.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia