Former foreign Minister Dipu Moni reportedly got into a heated argument with security staff at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar as they prevented her car from entering the venue.
Police said they barred the former minister’s vehicle from going inside as only ministers’ flag cars were allowed to enter the monument premises during a visit by the newly-formed cabinet on Tuesday.
Witnesses said law enforcement agents stopped Dipu Moni’s car at the main entrance of the monument.
At one point, she had a heated talk with the on-duty security personnel, who would not budge.
They then tried to contact their superiors over mobile phones, but they did not get any response.
The law enforcers apparently did not even allow her to park near the Savar monument’s boundary wall.
Habibur Rahman, superintendent of Dhaka district police, told the Dhaka Tribune that they were instructed not to allow in any vehicles without flags.
“That is why former minister Dipu Moni was not allowed to enter the monument in her car,” the police officer said.
“As far I know, the former minister went inside the venue on foot,” he added.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and members of her new cabinet went to the national monument to pay homage to the Liberation War heroes.
Dipu Moni finally entered the venue after the new ministers had finished paying their respects, the witnesses said.