BNP worries over Khaleda’s safety as police leave her residence

Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Monday expressed its concern over the safety of their party chairperson Khaleda Zia after police were withdrawn from her Gulshan residence in the capital.
BNP international affairs secretary, Asaduzzaman Ripon, in a press briefing at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, said Sunday’s attack on her (Khaleda Zia) motorcade, putting obstruction on her movement and today’s police withdrawal from her residence were tied together.
‘BNP is worried about the safety of such high profile personality like her,’ he said.
Ripon said protecting Khaleda in an appropriate manner is the responsibility of the government.
He alleged that the high-ups of the government including the prime minister and its commerce minister Tofail Ahmed are giving provocative speeches as she (Khaleda Zia) is campaigning for BNP-blessed candidates in the city polls.
The speeches are spoiling the election-environment and heating up the political atmosphere, he continued.
Ripon, also the office secretary, argued that Khaleda Zia can conduct election campaign as she is not holding any constitutional post.
The police protection was withdrawn from Khaleda Zia’s residence around 6:45am, said MA Majid, Khaleda’s chief security official.
On Sunday, ruling Awami League activists obstructed BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s motorcade and showed black flags at three places in the capital’s Uttara area during her electioneering for Dhaka north city mayoral candidate, Tabith Awal.
The Awami League activists also threw black flags at Khaleda’s motorcade near House Building intersection at Uttara.
A group of 60 to 70 leaders and activists of Awami League and its student and youth bodies staged a procession near House Building intersection around 6:00pm when Khaleda was inside North Tower shopping complex and campaigning for Tabith.
The Chhatra League and Juba League men also showed black flags to Khaleda at Khilkhet and near Jasimuddin Road crossing at Uttara.
The police and BNP leaders and activists escorted Khaleda’s motorcade.