The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The BNP-led 4-party alliance will stage human chain today across the country to press for the release of party's detained chairperson Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman.

Police source said the BNP-led 4-party alliance did not take permission from the DMP. So police will maintain 'hardline' during the time of the protest.

BNP leader Mohiuddin Khan Mohon told a news agency that the human chain would continue for 45 minutes from 5:00pm, in their planned second street protest after their abortive road march to Chief Adviser's office on

August 21 on the same demand.

In Dhaka City, leaders and workers of BNP, its allies and their front organisations will participate in the human chain.

The possible spots are: Jatrabari, Tikatuli, Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla crossing, Press Club, Shahbagh, Bangla Motor, Farm Gate, Asad Gate, in front of Suhrawardy Hospital, Shyamoli and Gabtoli.

Former MPs of the alliance and senior leaders will lock their hands in the human chain in front of the makeshift jail in the parliament-building complex where Khaleda has been detained.

She was arrested on September 3 last year in connection with GATCO graft case amid a clampdown on the politicians following the January 11 changeover. Tarique was arrested on March 7 last year in connection with several corruption cases. He is now undergoing treatment in custody at BSMMU hospital.

Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain again questioned the neutrality of the Caretaker Government in dealing with Tarique's release and proper treatment.

Talking to reporters after a milad-mahfil on the ground floor of his NAM apartment, he urged the Government "to behave humanly with Tarique."

Delwar urged the nationalist forces to hold milad-mahfil and offer special prayers on Friday throughout the country seeking Tarique's recovery from illness.