Dhaka: BNP on Wednesday questioned whether the government wants to ‘kill its chairperson Khaleda Zia in solitary confinement in jail’ as no one has not been allowed to meet her in jail over the last 11 days.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office, party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also alleged that the government is violating the BNP chief’s human and constitutional rights by barring her relatives and party leaders from meeting her.

‘The relatives and friends (BNP leaders) of Khaleda Zia have not been permitted to meet her over the last 11 days. Her relatives, lawyers and we couldn’t meet her despite repeated attempts,’ he said.

The BNP leader further said, ‘Even, no doctor is allowed to meet her. What is their motive behind depriving our leader of medical treatment? Do you (govt) want to eliminate her in solitary confinement in jail? History won’t forgive you if you do that.’

As per the jail code, he said, it is Khaleda’s constitutional and human rights to meet her relatives and friends and party leaders. ‘But, she’s been denied her rights.’

He said Khaleda’s relatives met her last on June 30 in Old Dhaka central jail.

Fakhrul said though the jail super is the final authority to allow anyone to meet a prisoner, the head of the government’s permission is required for Khaleda’s relatives and BNP leaders to meet her. ‘No rule and system is left in the country if we need to take permission from the head of the government to meet our leader.’

He alleged that the government sent Khaleda Zia to jail by setting up various traps of cases to keep her away from politics and election. ‘Khaleda Zia is the first victim of the current regime’s monstrous atrociousness.’

The BNP leader warned that the government will not be able to remove Khaleda from politics, no matter what plots it resorts to.

Fakhrul called upon the government to free Khaleda, ensure her treatment and create a congenial atmosphere in the country so that democracy can be ‘restored’.