BNP warns of dire consequences if case against Khaleda not withdrawn

The BNP has warned the government of 'dire consequences' if the case accusing Khaleda Zia of 'instigating an arson attack' is not withdrawn right away.

"The government has set another inhuman example by lodging a false case against Khaleda Zia who is grieving after losing a son," the party's Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said in a statement on Sunday.

"All conspiratorial, false cases against all leaders including the party chief must be withdrawn immediately. Otherwise, this illegal government won't have to wait long to face the severe consequences," he said.

Police on Saturday lodged a criminal case accusing the BNP chairperson of 'instigating arson'.

Khaleda and 17 other BNP leaders were booked over torching of a bus at Dhaka's Jatrabarhi on Friday night amid a nationwide transport blockade enforced by her party and its allies.

At least 27 passengers were burnt in the fire, six of them seriously.

This came two days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had warned Khaleda of such action unless the blockade was withdrawn.

Rizvi again blamed the government for all the violence that have occurred since the blockade started earlier this month.

He demanded arrest and punishment of the real perpetrators of the Jatrabarhi arson incident. He also extended condolences to those who suffered burns in that attack.

The BNP leader alleged the government had resorted to suing and attacking the opposition to repress its movement. The blockade and shutdown would continue peacefully with the people's support until democracy was restored, he added.

BNP chief Khaleda Zia had announced the blockade on Jan 5 after failing to organise a party programme as part of their movement to press the government to meet the demand for a snap election under a nonpartisan administration.

She was barred by police from leaving her office at Gulshan. Police siege around her office ended several days ago, but she has continued the blockade demanding talks with the government over their demands.

Khaleda, even after learning of her youngest son Arafat Rahman Coco's death on Saturday, instructed BNP leaders and supporters to carry on with the countrywide transport blockade, senior party leader Rafiqul Islam Miah said.