End agitation or else face arrest: Minister Khan to BNP chief Khaleda

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan has threatened to get BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia arrested if her party did not end its ongoing blockade.

He said the people would drag her to prison if it continued.

Minister Khan, leader of pro-government transport workers, led a huge march towards the BNP chief’s Gulshan office on Monday, skipping a Cabinet meeting.

He had earlier threatened to cut power and food supply to Khaleda’s Gulshan office, where she has been staying since Jan 3.

Heavy police presence was seen in the area with barricades set up at both ends of Road 86.

Activists of ruling Awami League’s affiliates and other organisations, led by the minister, gathered near Gulshan 2 intersection before heading to the office.

“Call off the blockade and shutdowns immediately,” Khan said addressing Khaleda.

“Otherwise, no-one will be able to save you. I’d like to request the prime minister to arrest this ‘monster’ to save the country and the people.”

About 100 people have been killed since Jan 5, mostly in arson attacks, when the BNP chief called the blockade.

The economy has sustained heavy damage while businesses have been demanding an end to the agitation.

Leading global ratings agency Moody’s has warned that the ongoing unrest was likely to pull down Bangladesh's credit ratings from a stable Ba3.

Different workers’ organisations have been staging protests in front of Khaleda’s office for the past several days.

Addressing the rally, Khan asked the government to remove her office from Gulshan within 24 hours.

JaSaD leader and ‘Sramik Jote’ (workers’ union) leader Shirin Akhter said, “End your agitation within the next 24 hours. Otherwise, you can’t stay at your office. We’ll be left with no choice but to arrest you.”

They announced a procession of trucks in Dhaka on Feb 18 and another on Feb 19.

The protesters then marched towards the BNP chief’s office but a bomb attack on them left at least 11 people injured.