BNP slams govt for slapping Section 144 in parliament area

BNP on Tuesday alleged that the government deliberately deprived the party leaders and activists of visiting its founder Ziaur Rahman's grave on the occasion of 'National Revolution and Solidarity Day' on the pretext of the ongoing Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference. "We think the government did it deliberately on the pretext of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference. They could have kept that place (Zia's grave) out of purview of the restriction," said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. BNP is observing what it says the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on Tuesday, marking the 'civil-military uprising' in 1975 with various programmes. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia together with party leaders and activists was scheduled to place wreaths at Zia's grave in parliament area at 10am today (Tuesday), marking the day. But, the government imposed section 144 in the areas and it will remain in force until 11pm on Wednesday due to the CPA conference. Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, he also said their party leaders and activists, led by its chairperson Khaleda Zia, paid homage to Zia every year on November 7 in the past. "But, we've been deprived of it this time. Imposing section 144 in the name of the CPA conference, the government deprived us of going there to pay tribute to him (Zia)." The BNP leader said the government did it as it does not want political parties to exercise their democratic rights.

Suhrawardy Udyan rally Sunday

BNP further shifted its Suhrawardy Udyan rally to Sunday from Saturday. "We've earlier announced to stage the rally on November 11 (Saturday). Now we've decided to hold it on November 12 (Sunday) for various reasons," Mirza Fakhrul said. The BNP leader said they have started working for holding the rally peacefully and make it a success. Earlier on Monday, the party shifted its Wednesday's rally at Suhrawardy Udyan to Saturday due to the ongoing 63rd conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in the city. On Friday, the party announced to hold the rally at the Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday marking what it said the civil-military 'uprising on November 7, 1975'.