DHAKA: Police detained 35 leaders and activists of BNP including Joint Secretary General Moazzem Hossain Alal after foiling a protest before the party’s Nayapaltan central office against the conviction of Khaleda Zia. 

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Motijheel Division Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Shibli Noman confirmed the news to Banglanews. 

Assistant Secretary Mostafizur Rahman Babul, Executive Committee members Rasheda Begum and Newaz Halima are among the detainees.

They were seen taken in police van and CNG-run auto-rickshaw at around 12:15pm Saturday (February 24). 

Earlier, the leaders and activists brought out a ‘black-flag’ procession demanding unconditional release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and protesting her jail sentence.

At least 15-20 persons including South Keraniganj BNP unit president Advocate Nipur Roy Chowdhury were injured while law enforcing agencies used water cannons to disperse the BNP protesters.

Nipur is the daughter-in-law of BNP Standing Committee member Goyeshwar Chandra Roy. She was seen taken to hospital immediately.

The leaders and activists started gathering in front of BNP central office in Nayapaltan about 10.00am with black flags and started their procession from in front of the party office after half an hour.

The protesters were chanting slogans after taking position before the party office gate, following being dispersed. 

In a press briefing arranged immediately after the incident, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged that police attacked their peaceful program and nabbed more than 50 leaders and activists.

BDST: 1520 HRS, FEB 24, 2018
SI