The Bangladesh Nationalist Party had called hartal across the country, except Dhaka and Chittagong cities, on Wednesday and demonstration on Tuesday protesting Monday’s attack on Khaleda and her motorcade when she was addressing a campaign rally at Karwan Bazar in Dhaka city.
Bnp’s standing committee member Moudud Ahmed who announced the programme blamed the government for the attack saying that those followed provocative remarks made by the Prime Minister against the Bnp chairperson’s taking part in city election campaigns.Windowpanes of all cars including that of Khaleda Zia in the motorcade were damaged in the attack, and Bnp chairperson’s security force personnel and some journalists present were injured in the attack. Khaleda escaped unhurt. She and the members of her campaign team quickly moved towards Maghbazar for safety.
Moudud alleged that the attack was preplanned as it was carried out hours after the withdrawal of police security that had been posted for Khaleda Zia.
Syrul Kabir Khan, a staff of the BNP chief’s media wing, said the 7-member police team left the residence of BNP chairperson’s Gulshan residence at about 7:00am.
He said police told them that they were leaving under orders from higher level.
Polices sources also confirmed that the state-provided security was withdrawn from Khaleda’s residence.
The police team led by an assistant sub-inspector were redeputed around Khaleda’s house since she returned to her residence after a three-month stay in her political office.
BNP has termed exhibiting black flags and creating obstructions by the ruling party men to party chairperson Khaleda Zia during electioneering at Uttara on Sunday, motivated and provocative.
“The ruling party men showed indecorous attitude towards Khaleda Zia by exhibiting her black flags and creating obstruction during her electioneering at Uttra on the day beforfe. They also blocked her motorcade and obstructed her movement,” said BNP international affairs secretary Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon.
Addressing a press conference at party central office at Naya Paltan, he accused the ruling Awami League of making volatile the political and election atmosphere by carrying out such ‘evil’ acts.
The BNP leader also accused the Prime Minister of spoiling the polls environment by making what he said unguarded remarks about the 20-party-backed city polls candidates.
He mentioned that the Prime Minister’s made the remarks on the same day that Khaleda was seeking vote for bus symbol after torching buses and urged the Election Commission to examine whether the premier violated the election code of conduct by passing such remarks.
He also urged the EC to look into the matter and ensure a congenial atmosphere to hold the city polls in a free, fair and neutral manner.
Terming the evil efforts unbecoming, motivated and provocative, he said they think the government is making the election and political environment unstable with these activities.
“We want reaching a peace and effective political understanding but the Prime Minister and her cabinet colleague are destroying the polls atmosphere with reckless remarks over the polls,” he said
The BNP leader further alleged that the government withdrew the police protocol party chairperson from her Gulshan residence yesterday morning, a day after the ruling party men obstructed to her motorcade.
“The government should ensure the security of Khaleda Zia as a chief of a major party and a high profile politician,” he said.
On Sunday, Khaleda faced obstructions by AL leaders and activists at different points of Uttra and she was forced to return from the area changing her campaign plan.
The ruling party activists staged demonstrations with black flags against her, when BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia went to Uttra area to conduct electioneering in favour of her party-backed mayoral candidate Tabith Awal for Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC). – Staff Reporter
