'What sort of security is this?’ Asks Khaleda

Khaleda Zia has questioned the purpose of the government providing her 'security’ after failing to get out of her locked Gulshan office barricaded by police.

The BNP chief tried to join her supporters in anti-government street protests on the first anniversary of the last general elections.

Khaleda has been there since Saturday night when police presence was bolstered around the office. The law-enforcing agencies claim it was for her security.

Police locked the BNP headquarters as well on the same night.

Khaleda on Sunday told the BBC Bangla that she was being confined but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the BNP chief was free to get out anytime she wanted.

Police locked all her office gates on Monday.

TV footage showed the former prime minister waiting in her white SUV for a while before she finally gave up.

"What kind of security is this?" she asked.

"Escort me to the venue and provide me security there, if you truly want to protect me," she said.

Monday's incident was similar to the one before the last polls when police cordoned off her residence as she was about to go out to attend a proposed rally.

"Our peaceful programmes will continue," the BNP chief thundered.