The junior minister makes the statement while replying to a query of Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Choudhury
- BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia talks to the media standing at the gates of her Gulshan residence on December 29. She was barred by law enforcers from leaving her house to participate in the party’s Dhaka march programme
The leader of the opposition, Khaleda Zia, was neither confined nor under house arrest, said State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku on Thursday.
The junior minister made the statement in response to a query by Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Choudhury.
He told the speaker: “The leader of the opposition is neither confined nor under house arrest. We have just tightened her security measures, apprehensive of untoward situations.”
Earlier in the day, Shirin Sharmin Choudhury asked the authority concerned to ensure the highest security for the leader of the opposition, Khaleda Zia, without inconveniencing her, after holding a meeting with a BNP delegation.
The speaker told the Dhaka Tribune that she made the move as BNP leaders asked her to look into the matter of the party chief’s “confinement.”
She said: “I have talked to the state minister for home and the inspector general of police, and asked them to ensure the highest security for Khaleda Zia without inconveniencing her.
“In reply, Tuku assured me that Khaleda’s security is their top most priority. She is not confined. Law enforcers are obstructing her stepping outside for security reasons,” she added.
While talking to the speaker, the IGP also gave her the same assurance.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
