Dhaka: As part of its countrywide scheduled programme, BNP leaders and activists formed a human chain in the city on Monday protesting the jailing of its chairperson Khaleda Zia in a graft case.

Several hundred BNP leaders and followers formed the human chain around 10:30am in front of Jatiya Press Club amid tight security.

They chanted different slogans demanding the release of Khaleda Zia immediately.

Police cordoned off the protesters to fend off any trouble.

BNP’s district, thana, upzila and city units are also scheduled to observe the programmes at their convenient time and places.

Earlier on Saturday, Rizvi announced a three-day protest programme at a press briefing at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

As part of the programmes, the party will also hold an hour-long sit-in programme on Tuesday and a hunger strike from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Wednesday across the country.

On Thursday last, a special court here convicted Khaleda and sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Earlier, BNP leaders and activists staged demonstrations on Friday and Statuary protesting Khaleda Zia’s conviction all over the country, including in the capital, amid obstruction by police .