UNB, Dhaka: BNP on Sunday alleged that its chairperson Khaleda Zia was repeatedly obstructed by police on her way to Central Shaheed Minar to pay homage to the Language Movement heroes early Sunday. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also claimed that over 50 leaders and activists were injured in an attack by police near the Shaheed Minar. “Letters had been sent to the chiefs of police and Rab requesting them to ensure security of the BNP chairperson while she would be paying homage at the Central Shaheed Minar. But, police repeatedly blocked her motorcade on her way to the Shaheed Minar from her Gulshan residence,” he said. The BNP leader said Khaleda’s motorcade was first obstructed in front of her Gulshan residence. “As she reached near the Central Shaheed Minar leaving behind all the barriers, police obstructed her twice there.” He also alleged that police attacked BNP leaders and activists without any provocation, leaving over 50 of them seriously injured. “We strongly condemn and protest the obstruction to our BNP chairperson and attack on our leaders and activists.” Rizvi also alleged that ruling party men brutally killed their Noakhali’s Chatkhil leader Alamgir on his way to a local Shaheed MInar to pay respects to the martyrs. He further alleged that their party-nominated chairman candidates were being obstructed from collecting and submitting nomination papers across the country. “Our candidates are being intimidated.”
