Khaleda starts bleeding again

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, now undergoing treatment at the capital's Evercare Hospital, started bleeding again on Monday night and her condition was still unpredictable.

"She did bleed again. Doctors were worried about her condition. Due to frantic efforts of the physicians, the crisis is tackled for now," said Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, secretary general of the party.

The party organised a rally in front of the party's Nayapaltan headquarters demanding the release of Khaleda and permission to send Khaleda abroad for better treatment in an advanced centre.

Referring to the physicians, Fakhrul said Khaleda's condition was not good and still unpredictable. "Doctors said clearly that her treatment is not possible in the country. She must be sent abroad for treating her and it should not be delayed."

Saying that the physicians are concerned about the health condition of Khaleda, Fakhrul said the former premier was still fighting for her life in the Critical Care Unit of the hospital.

Issuing a note of warning, the BNP leader said if anything happens to Khaleda, the people of the country will not spare the ruling Awami League.

"You [government] are talking about the law. It is a lie. According to 401 provision of CrPC, only government can send her abroad."

The BNP leader said now the responsibility of Khaleda lies with the Awami League. "If she does not get proper treatment and anything harmful happens to her, you would be blamed for everything."

Centring the rally, thousands of party leaders and activists thronged at the meeting venue and chanted slogans demanding the release of Khaleda Zia.

Regarding the foreign minister's statement that medical documents of Khaleda were sent abroad, Fakhrul said, "He [foreign minister] made such comment before the diplomats. Diplomats have already mounted pressure on the government to send Khaleda abroad for better treatment."

The BNP leader urged the people of the country to get united to mount pressure on the government to release Khaleda and send her abroad.

Meanwhile, in Chattogram, BNP organised a protest rally where BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the AL destroyed all institutions of the country only to stay in power.

Today, judges cannot judge independently. The police cannot function independently. The administration cannot do their work rightly, he said.

He made the remarks at a BNP gathering that demanded the release and medical treatment of Khaleda at the KB Convention Hall in Bakalia Kalamia Bazar in the city.

The 76-year-old former prime minister was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and to treat her she needs to be sent abroad immediately.

Khaleda has long been suffering from arthritis, diabetes, as well as dental and eye problems. She was admitted to the hospital on November 13 and moved to the CCU on the following day, nearly a week after she was discharged from the same healthcare facility.

Khaleda was sent to jail on February 8, 2018, in a corruption case. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, she was given a temporary release on certain conditions on March 25 last year. The term of her release has been extended four times so far.