BNP budges on police desire

Ends hunger strike 3 hours before schedule

The BNP yesterday ended its token hunger strike in the city three hours before the scheduled time upon request from law enforcers. During the programme, BNP leaders vowed to take part in the next general election after freeing party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

Large numbers of party leaders and activists started to take position in front of the Jatiya Press Club from 11am to press home their demand for releasing Khaleda Zia.

The hunger strike was scheduled to continue from 10am to 4pm. However, it had to end prematurely as on-duty policemen requested the BNP leaders to move away from the spot by 1pm.

The presence of several thousand party leaders and activists created traffic congestion in front of the press club.

Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, Prof. Emajuddin Ahmed, expressed his solidarity with the hunger strike. He broke the strike by offering water to the BNP secretary general at 1pm.

Senior BNP leaders, including the party’s secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, attended the programme.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir concluded the hunger strike by demanding immediate release of the party chairperson from jail. “From this programme, we demand that our leader (Khaleda) be released immediately,” he said.

Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said they would not allow any election in the country if the party chairperson is kept in prison. “The government wants to hold the election by keeping Khaleda out of the polling process. They are playing with fire and will face the consequences. We’ll take part in the next election alongside Khaleda Zia,” he added.

Barrister Moudud Ahmed alleged Khaleda has been convicted in a false case. “She will be freed through a nationwide movement,” he asserted.

He criticised the government for not allowing the BNP to observe the hunger strike either in front of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh or the party’s central office in Naya Paltan.

Pro-BNP lawyers, led by Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum senior joint secretary Sanaullah Mia, also observed a token hunger strike on the metropolitan judge court premises.

As part of its countrywide programme, the different district and city units of the BNP also observed similar programmes.

As part of the BNP central committee agitation programme, mass hunger strikes were observed in Jamalpur and Habiganj district respectively in protest to the conviction of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday.

A large number of leaders and activists took part in the hunger strikes, and they termed the conviction as political harassement and demanded release of their leader Khaleda.

Last Thursday, Khaleda was handed a five-year imprisonment in the Zia orphanage trust graft case by a special Dhaka court.

 

BNP budges on police desire

Ends hunger strike 3 hours before schedule

The BNP yesterday ended its token hunger strike in the city three hours before the scheduled time upon request from law enforcers. During the programme, BNP leaders vowed to take part in the next general election after freeing party chairperson Khaleda Zia. Large numbers of party leaders and activists started to take position in front of the Jatiya Press Club from 11am to press home their demand for releasing Khaleda Zia. The hunger strike was scheduled to continue from 10am to 4pm. However, it had to end prematurely as on-duty policemen requested the BNP leaders to move away from the spot by 1pm. The presence of several thousand party leaders and activists created traffic congestion in front of the press club. Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, Prof. Emajuddin Ahmed, expressed his solidarity with the hunger strike. He broke the strike by offering water to the BNP secretary general at 1pm. Senior BNP leaders, including the partys secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, among others, attended the programme. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir concluded the hunger strike by demanding immediate release of the party chairperson from jail. From this programme, we demand that our leader (Khaleda) be released immediately, he said. Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said they would not allow any election in the country if the party chairperson is kept in prison. The government wants to hold the election by keeping Khaleda out of the polling process. They are playing with fire and will face the consequences. Well take part in the next election alongside Khaleda Zia, he added. Barrister Moudud Ahmed alleged Khaleda has been convicted in a false case. She will be freed through a nationwide movement, he asserted. He criticised the government for not allowing the BNP to observe the hunger strike either in front of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh or the partys central office in Naya Paltan. Pro-BNP lawyers, led by Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum senior joint secretary Sanaullah Mia, also observed a token hunger strike on the metropolitan judge court premises. As part of its countrywide programme, the different district and city units of the BNP also observed similar programmes. As part of the BNP central committee agitation programme, mass hunger strikes were observed in Jamalpur and Habiganj district respectively in protest to the conviction of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday. A large number of leaders and activists took part in the hunger strikes, and they termed the conviction as political harassement and demanded release of their leader Khaleda. Last Thursday, Khaleda was handed a five-year imprisonment in the Zia orphanage trust graft case by a special Dhaka court.