Dhaka: BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia started her journey for Chittagong on Saturday morning as she has embarked on a four-day tour of Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingyas who have taken shelter there in the face of persecution in their own country, Myanmar.

The BNP chairperson left her Gulshan residence at 10:45am, and will have a break for lunch at Feni Circuit House.

She will stay overnight at Chittagong Circuit House on Saturday, and again start her journey for Cox’s Bazar around 11 am on Sunday.

Reaching Cox’s Bazar around 5pm, she will stay overnight at the Circuit House there on Sunday.

Khaleda will go to Ukhia on Monday noon to visit the Rohingya camps at Balukhali, Boalmara and Jamtoli and return to Chittagong in the evening.

She will stay overnight at the Chittagong Circuit House on Monday and finally return to Dhaka on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters, just before starting the journey, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said their chairperson is going to Cox’s Bazar for the cause of humanity and to stand beside the helpless Rohingyas

He said Khaleda will go to Ukhia camps on Monday and distribute relief materials among 10,000 Rohingya families at Balukhali, Boalmara and Jamtoli camps.

Fakhrul said, ‘They sought all-out cooperation from the government to make the visit a success. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) assured us of ensuring necessary security measures and cooperation during our chairperson’s visit’.

The BNP leader said huge enthusiasm has been created among BNP leaders and activists over the tour. He said he already instructed their party men to welcome Khaleda in a peaceful manner maintaining discipline on her way to Cox’s Bazar via Chittagong.

Khaleda who returned home from the UK on October 18 after over a three-month stay there is going to Cox’s Bazar as part of her party standing committee members’ decision.

As the national election is getting closer, BNP’s nomination aspirants will try to draw Khaleda’s attention with big showdowns at different points in their respective areas from Gulshan to Cox’s Bazar demonstrating their popularity and strength.

Some party leaders said Khaleda may address some wayside rallies on her way to Cox’s’ Bazar.

Some others, however, said she is unlikely to address any street rally due to security concerns.

Khaleda last visited Cox’s Bazar in 2012 after attacks on Buddhists at Ramu.