BNP chief Khaleda Zia returns to Dhaka after UK visit

She arrived at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:15pm, amid tightened security and gathering of supporters.

Law-enforcement agencies have beefed up security around the airport for her arrival. Armed personnel carriers, water cannons and additional police were seen lining the VIP road.

"We have provided extra security because party members have gathered in the area to welcome Khaleda Zia," said Airport Police OC Noor-e-Ajam.

Meanwhile, crowds of BNP leaders and activists were disrupting traffic on the vital road. Central leaders of the party were also present to welcome Khaleda at the airport.

Several thousands were waiting in Uttara, the neighbourhood close to the airport, by 3pm, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Shahen Shah Bela told bdnews24.com.

More traffic police have been deployed to control traffic build-up, he said.

"The BNP supporters were on the east pavement, but around 4pm they started forming processions on the main road," said bdnews24.com reporter Faisal Atik from the scene.

They are rallying over the area between the airport intersection and Kawla. Cars headed for Banani are at a halt."

The authorities have also raised the number of Armed Police Battalion or APBn personnel guarding the airport, said an officer, who requested not to be named.

Khaleda had left Dhaka on Jul 15 to treat her eyes and knee in the UK. She has been staying with her son Tarique Rahman in London.

Facing charges of graft, libel and sabotage, the former prime minister is facing a series of warrants for arrest.

She headed straight to her Gulshan home after emerging out of the airport. She was accompanied by private secretary ABM Abdus Sattar and household help Fatema Akhter.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir greeted her at the airport's VIP lounge. Police barred several senior leaders from entering the VIP lounge so they lined the road near the airport's mosque, carrying bouquets for the party chief.

Among them were BNP standings committee members Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed, Jamiruddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moin Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.

“Our supporters have come here to welcome their leader who has returned to her country. But see how police are causing obstructions. Police have also stopped public transports so that our leaders can't get here," said Moudud.

"But the presence of so many here proves how the people are ready to welcome our leader."

As for the arrest warrants against her, Moudud said those are politically motivated. "She is not afraid of arrest warrants. Our leader is respectful to the law and will secure bail from court.”

Moudud on Tuesday said Khaleda was returning home with her treatment 'incomplete' in order to 'show respect to the law'.

He said she would go to the court on Thursday to seek bail.

Mirza Fakhrul, too, on Wednesday said: "We hope she will go to the court tomorrow."

BNP supporters who were lining the pavements were seen holding banners, some of which described Khaleda as the "Mother of Democracy", a probable play on the title bestowed on her archrival, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Hasina was termed the "Mother of Humanity" by Awami League supporters upon her recent return from the UN General Assembly where she raised the issue of over half a million Rohingyas who have taken refuge in Bangladesh.