Let Khaleda go abroad by Saturday or face movement: Pro-BNP lawyers
Pro-BNP lawyers on Tuesday threatened to go for a movement if the government does not let Khaleda Zia go abroad for medical treatment by Saturday next, reports UNB.
"We’re giving the government four days--Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (to meet our demand). Or else, we lawyers will go on a hunger-strike across the country on Sunday,” said lawyer Fazlur Rahman, member secretary of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (BJAF).
Speaking at a rally, he also warned that they will gradually intensify the movement to force the government to accept their demand.
“Time will come when the people of the country will hit the streets with processions, and the streets will see the heat of the fire. And that day is not far away. Let's start a movement to take Khaleda Zia abroad,” Rahman said.
BJAF arranged the programme in front of the National Press Club demanding Khaleda’s medical care abroad.
Fazlur Rahman urged law minister Anisul Huq to find out a legal option to send Khaleda out of the country for treatment. “The law is not bigger than human life.”
Speaking at the programme, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said the government can allow the BNP chief to go abroad for treatment under section 401 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). “The usurper government, not the law, is an obstacle here.”
He thanked the lawyers for expressing their solidarity with BNP demanding Khaleda’s treatment abroad through the rally.
"This rally has given us hope. We’ve been there on the streets. Lawyers from across the country inspired us today (Tuesday) with their announcement for waging a movement. We’ll surely be able to free Khaleda and send her abroad through a fierce mass movement together with all democratic forces.”
About Khaleda’s condition, Fakhrul said she is critically ill. “She is so sick that I can't describe. She’s now at the crossroads of life and death. She needs immediate treatment at any advanced centre abroad.”
The BNP leader said the BNP chief’s physicians have clearly said they have no such technology and equipment to ensure her necessary treatment in the country.
Khaleda, a 76-year-old former prime minister, has been receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital for various health complications since 13 November.
Her medical board members on Sunday said she immediately needs to go abroad for better treatment as she was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
On behalf of her family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the home ministry on 11 November urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
Law minister Anisul Huq on Sunday said the government is assessing whether there is any legal option to allow Khaleda to go abroad for medical treatment.