BNP launches hunger strike to demand the release of Khaleda Zia

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, has launched a hunger strike to demand the release of the party’s chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 7 April 2019, 06:08 AM
Updated : 7 April 2019, 06:13 AM

Party leaders and activists began the programme around 10:30am on Sunday at the capital’s Engineers Institute auditorium. It will continue until 3pm, according to BNP leaders.

Despite being slated for a 10am start, the programme was delayed by a half hour as BNP leaders and activists were refused permission to stage the hunger strike outside the auditorium.

The programme was therefore held inside the auditorium where activists placed mats on the floor and began their protest.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, standing committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Nazrul Islam Khan were among those leading the hunger strike.

Police and law enforcement forces have been stationed outside the Engineers’ Institution.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been in prison since February, 2018. She is sentenced to serve 17 years in jail in two graft cases. BNP leaders allege the ruling Awami League has imprisoned her as an act of ‘political vengeance’.

Khaleda is currently receiving treatment at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital, or BSMMUH. She was transferred to the BSMMUH from the old central jail in Old Dhaka on Apr 1.

The 73-year-old politician is suffering from a combination of arthritis, high levels of diabetes and other age-related health complications.