Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded immediate release of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and said that the government will be held responsible if anything happens to her.
"She is currently hospitalized. If anything happens to her, the government will have to take full responsibility," Fakhrul said.
"The government should resign immediately and accept our one-point demand," Fakhrul said during a short rally in Nayapaltan, Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.
The rally, organized by BNP's Dhaka South and North city units to demand the release of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and better treatment abroad.
He said: "The amount of which Khaleda Zia was sentenced for the charge of Tk2 crore has now increased to Tk8 crore. Similar cases were filed against many Awami League leaders. But they were not only released but the cases were withdrawn. They have been made ministers."
Mirza Fakhrul said: "The Awami League is an unconstitutional and illegal government. They have held power for 15 years, riding on the people's backs. Now, they claim to seek fair elections for the sake of democracy."
"Six leaders and activists, including Dhaka University Chhatra Dal Senior Joint General Secretary Mominul Haque Jisan, have been arrested. If they are not released within six hours, the government will be held responsible," he added.
BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said: "BNP does not seek Khaleda Zia's medical treatment from the government; she should be released permanently. Sheikh Hasina is accountable for Begum Zia's condition."
Mirza Abbas said: "India has warned the US not to put pressure on Sheikh Hasina government in view of the upcoming 12th National Assembly elections of Bangladesh. Recently, a report about this has been published in the Indian news media Anandabazar newspaper. The foreign masters will do nothing. The time has come for this government to leave."
Abbas also claimed the medical board formed for the treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia was not allowed to brief the media.
Another member of the BNP Standing Committee Abdul Moin Khan said: "We have appeared here to say goodbye to the one-party government. Even if oppression can survive for a while, it is not sustainable for long."
He demanded the resignation of the government and elections under a non-partisan government.
BNP's Dhaka Metropolitan North Convenor Aman Ullah Aman said: "The government is not providing her with good medical treatment and is not allowing her to go abroad due to outrage. Arrange Khaleda Zia's treatment immediately and arrange for her to go abroad. Otherwise Sheikh Hasina will have to take the responsibility."
Meanwhile, at the end of this short rally, a mass procession was held from in front of the BNP central office to Shantinagar, Malibagh and Moghbazar junction, demanding the release and better treatment of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
BNP is marching across the country at the metropolitan, district and upazila levels with the same demand on Saturday.
During the nationwide mass processions, a chase and clash occured between BNP leaders, activists, and the police in Kanchpur, Narayanganj. Bricks were peteled at the police, and several cars were vandalized.
Later, to bring the situation under control, the police dispersed them by firing tear gas and rubber bullets from shotguns. Traffic was stopped on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway for about half an hour.
