DHAKA:  Awami League (AL) publicity and publication secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday categorically said former state minister for foreign affairs Reaz Rahman was attacked following instructions of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The senior AL leader made the remarks while addressing an anti-hartal rally organized by Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote (BSJ) in front of National Press Club in the city at the noon.

Hasan said “As people have rejected Khaleda’s hartal-blockade, they are being killed in petrol bomb attack as per her instructions.”

Former state minister for home Shamsul Haque Tuku, Dhaka Journalists’ Union (faction) general secretary Shaban Mahmud, BSJ general secretary Arun Sarkar, among others, were present at the rally.

BNP-led 20-party alliance-called is observing a countrywide hartal  on Thursday protesting the attack on Reaz Rahman, an adviser to Khaleda, amid the 10th day of nationwide indefinite blockade enforced by BNP.

BDST: 1332 HRS, JAN 15, 2015