Khaleda's presence prompts authority to open door for JCD discussion

Rezaul Hannan with SM Najmus Sakib | Published: January 02, 2018 21:09:03 | Updated: January 03, 2018 18:13:36

The authority of a venue for holding a prescheduled discussion organised by BNP’s student wing in Dhaka opened gate on Tuesday after intervention by party chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The BNP chief went there on invitation from Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD). But upon her arrival at the venue around 4:30pm, she came to know that the law-enforcers declined to allow JCD men to proceed on with their permitted and prescheduled arrangement marking the student organisation’s founding anniversary.

The protesting JCD men by that time took position in front of the venue as authority denied opening the entrance.

Announcing her solidarity with hundreds of agitating JCD men, Khaleda, however, refused to bow down and stayed adamant on joining the JCD discussion inside the IEB (Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh) venue.

JCD leaders also started demonstration in support of her insistence taking position surrounding Khaleda's car. Their continued protest eventually affected the nearby traffic movement.

Considering the very circumstances, the IEB authority decided to allow the JCD men hold their discussion at 5:30pm.

JCD President Rajibul Hasan later told the media that the IEB authority changed their stance in honour of Khaleda Zia.

Earlier, thousands of JCD leaders and activists reached the IEB auditorium premises to attend the discussion.

But the IEB authority locked the gate around 10:00am and police did not allow the JCD activists to enter the venue.

Authorities concerned said that this arrangement was maintained for the greater safety of President Abdul Hamid who was attending the 'Supreme Court' Day programmes at a nearby venue.

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