Khaleda's Gulshan office wears deserted look
The Gulshan office of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia wore a deserted look yesterday as the party men stayed away, fearing arrest and police harassment.
No newsman was allowed in. The snapped telephone, cable and internet connections to the office are yet to be restored.
Meanwhile, two Dhaka courts yesterday placed Khaleda's advisers Mosaddek Ali Falu and Shamsuzzaman Dudu on remands in two cases.
Sources said BNP leaders and activists are not visiting Khaleda as over 15 opposition men have been detained at the entrance to the office in last four days.
Talking to The Daily Star, Shamsuddin Didar, a member of the BNP chief's media wing, said a party supporter tried to enter the office yesterday afternoon, but was detained immediately.
Moniruzzaman Akond, a duty officer of Gulshan Model Police Station, said the detainee, Mazharul Islam, works for a private organisation.
Plainclothes detectives were patrolling the streets around the office yesterday. Khaleda has been there in since January 3.
Also the chairman of the private television channel ntv, Falu was picked up by police as soon as he stepped out of the office on Sunday night.
The BNP said law enforcement agencies took the “hard stance” against the party men to “force Khaleda out of her office.”
The additional police force and barricades were removed from in front of the office early on January 19, 16 days after the BNP chief was confined there.
The electricity line to the office was snapped early on Saturday, said BNP sources. The cable, internet and land/mobile phone connections were also disconnected. The electricity line was restored after around 19 hours.
A BNP standing committee member said the government wants to “isolate the BNP chairperson” (from outside) to compel her to withdraw the nonstop blockade.
“But such repressive acts would not work as Khaleda Zia is determined to continue the movement until the administration agrees to sit in a dialogue with the BNP for a fair and inclusive election,” he added.
LEADERS ON REMAND
A Dhaka court placed BNP leader Mosaddek Ali Falu on a five-day remand in a case filed for torching a bus in the capital's Khilgaon on January 30. Police had sought a 10-day remand for him.
He has been shown arrested in the case though his name was not included in the first information report. Police accused him of masterminding and instigating the arson that left four passengers burnt, according to the case statement.
Another Dhaka court granted four-day remand for Shamsuzzaman Dudu in a case filed with Mirpur Police Station for blasting crude bombs in the capital on January 10.
Dudu was arrested the following day.
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