I don’t fear arrests: Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has said she does not fear arrests and the ruling party should make its own “escape plans” before arresting her.

“I never fear arrests. I am warning the government, before you try imprison me, keep your escape plans handy. Put visas on your passports,” she said on Tuesday at a rally in Brahmanbaria.

“Otherwise, the Alem-Ulama and the people will take to the road and you will have no place to run.”

Khaleda’s warning was in response to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s hint that the BNP chief might be arrested if she tried to destabilise the nation.

Criticising the 16th amendment that gives Parliament the power to remove Supreme Court judges, she said this was an attempt to control the judges.

“This must be cancelled. We have held one general strike but that is not the last. We will launch any programme necessary,” she said.

She called on the people to unite to oust what she described as an “illegal, murderous and tyrant” government.

The BNP chief hinted at new programmes after Eid-ul-Azha.

“You will respond to our call after Eid. I am telling you, no matter where I am, my party will be here, all of us will work together for the movement,” she said.

Since the Jan 5 national elections that her alliance boycotted, this is the third rally addressed by Khaleda Zia. She last spoke on May 28, at a rally in Munshiganj.

A large number of party activists had come from Brahmanbaria Sadar, Sarail, Ashuganj, Akhaura, Nabinagar, Nasiranagar, Bijoynagar, Kasba and Bancharampur and gathered at the Niaz Mohammad High School grounds.