Khaleda Zia, who is ‘confined’ inside her office with a heavy police presence outside, has said her party will not back down from its Jan 5 programme. Speaking to BBC Bangla on Sunday night, the BNP chief said they would carry on as planned despite the police ban on gatherings. “Our programme is on,” she said. “This illegal government has completely lost touch with the people. It’s not just me, they’ve confined the whole nation.” On the anniversary of the last general elections on Monday, BNP plans to observe a “Death of Democracy Day” with nationwide rallies and black-flag marches. Khaleda’s office has been surrounded by police since Saturday night and they have reportedly stopped her from leaving twice. The government, however, is refusing to admit that this is a blockade. Khaleda told BBC Bangla that the government was afraid that the nation would stand behind her. Senior BNP leaders have told bdnews24.com the party may announce a 48-hour shutdown if Monday’s Dhaka rally is foiled. The BNP chairperson was asked whether the party could pull off a mass gathering despite the government measures. She replied that her activists were already on the streets. “Our boys are out there. They’re getting beaten up. “Sixteen female activists came to see me. Chhatra League beat them up brutally. Then police arrested them. What country are we living in?” The former prime minister said she would try to leave her office despite the blockade. “I tried last time, too. Remember Dec 29? They didn’t let me leave that day either,” she said. “We planned a peaceful rally on the 5th. The government could have monitored it. “Instead they have arrested over 1,500 people and disconnected the whole country,” she said. Khaleda claimed the government’s actions were a sign of their failure and its fear of the public. –bdnews24.com
