Police yesterday foiled a bid to lay siege to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence.
The protesters, which included members of the ruling party’s front organizations, were protesting recent remarks made by Khaleda on the number of martyrs in the 1971 Liberation War.
About 500 people marching under the banner of Muktijoddha Sangsad Sontan Command took position at Banani field around 10:30am.
Members of Sucinta Foundation, Amra Muktijoddhar Sontan, Muktijuddher Chetonai Jagrato Janata, Muktijuddha Shaheed Santan as well as the Dhaka unit of the Chhatara League, Titumir College BCL.
When the protesters began their march towards Khaleda’s house, police barred them on Major General Moinul Hossain Chy, Bir Uttam, Road. Afterwards, they held a rally on the road which ended around 12:15pm.
Addressing the event Mahammad A Arafat, Sucinta Foundation Chairman, also convenor of the programme, said Khaleda’s questioning of the martyrs figure was against the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War.
“Khaleda is leading the evil politics in the country. All the problems will be resolved if she is removed from the political arena,” he said.
He urged the people of all walks of life to understand the matter. He also demanded that Khaleda’s residence be ousted from the diplomatic zone.
He placed a seven-point demand to halt a repeat of such remarks.
International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor Tureen Afroz said: “BNP came to power in 2001 using the money provided by Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. A person named Shawkat made the claim in a writ petition filed with the Pakistan High Court. So it is clear that Khaleda Zia and her son are the evil spirit of Pakistan.
“Now they are questioning the number of martyrs. One day they will say that none can be called Birangana without having medical certificate.”
Nujhat Chowdhury, daughter of martyred intellectual Dr Alim Chowdhury, said: “Khaleda has no right to question the number of martyrs. Her remarks are spreading confusions in the society. We have to prevent the move.”
