BNP leaders at the divisional rally in Dhaka on Saturday demanded the release of arrested leaders and activists of the party, including its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas.
They said that the central office of BNP in Naya Paltan is under the control of police. Those who came to the rally were also harassed by the police.
Member of Executive Committee Tabith Awal and BNP leader Ishraque Hossain demanded the release of arrested party leaders and activists while delivering their speeches at the Golapbagh playground.
Fakhrul and Abbas were picked up by detectives from their home at around 3am on Friday. They were arrested on charges of planning and inciting an attack on law enforcers at Naya Paltan.
Earlier, police arrested several senior leaders of the BNP on Wednesday, hours after violent clashes between the police and opposition supporters left one dead and around 20 others injured in Naya Paltan.
BNP leaders blamed the police for excesses and alleged that the government had stage-managed the clashes that rocked the area around 3pm onwards to foil its mass rally slated for December 10.
The government took stricter measures after the BNP threatened to besiege the city on the rally day.
On October 8, senior BNP leader Amanullah Aman also said that the country would be administered under the leadership of party Chairperson Khaleda Zia and acting chairman Tarique Rahman. Several other top leaders seconded the view.
They also declared that Khaleda, convicted in corruption cases, would address the rally in person.
