Thousands of leaders and activists of the BNP and its associate bodies gathered on footpaths stretching from the airport to Gulshan Avenue on Tuesady to welcome their beloved leader and party chief Khaleda Zia, as she is returning home after nearly four months of treatment in London.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, along with senior party leaders, will receive Khaleda at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport upon her arrival, UNB reports.
Though a Qatari royal ambulance carrying Khaleda, her two daughters-in-law, and other entourage members is scheduled to land at the airport at 10:30 am, BNP supporters began gathering on the footpaths along both sides of the nearly 10-kilometre road on the route from early morning, holding national and party flags to greet Khaleda on her homecoming.
The special air ambulance, provided by Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, carrying BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and her entourage, took off from Heathrow Airport around 9:35 pm (BST) on Monday.
As the BNP chief will be travelling from Dhaka Airport to her residence in Gulshan via Kakoli, the party designated specific locations for its affiliated bodies and leaders to take positions along the route in a disciplined manner to avoid causing traffic jams.
According to the party-designated spots, the leaders and workers of the party’s Dhaka North City unit have positioned themselves from the airport to Le Meridien Hotel, while members of Chhatra Dal have stood from Le Meridien to Khilkhet. Jubo Dal members have taken positions from Khilkhet to Hotel Radisson, and the Dhaka South City unit BNP members have stood from Radisson to the Army Stadium.
The leaders and supporters of Swechchhasebak Dal have covered the area from the Army Stadium to Banani Graveyard, while Krishak Dal members have taken position from Banani Graveyard to the Kakoli intersection. Sramik Dal members have stood from Kakoli to the Banani Sheraton Hotel, and the leaders and workers of Ulema Dal, Tanti Dal, Jasas, and Matsyajibi Dal have positioned themselves from Banani Sheraton to Banani kitchen market.
The Muktijoddha Dal and other professional bodies have taken their positions from Banani kitchen market to Gulshan-2, while Mohila Dal and members of BNP’s National Executive Committee have stood from Gulshan-2 to Gulshan Avenue.
The party stated that no one will be allowed to enter the airport premises or the residence of the BNP Chairperson, and walking or motorbike processions accompanying the Chairperson’s motorcade will be strictly prohibited.
City dwellers, especially SSC examinees and officegoers, are facing difficulties on the route due to traffic congestion caused by the gathering of BNP leaders and workers.
Earlier on Monday, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged everyone not to stand on the road in any manner. “Those who wish to welcome Madam should stand on the footpath and greet her from there. We have instructed that party leaders and activists may hold national and BNP flags while receiving her.”
He urged party leaders and activists to remain alert and not cause any traffic congestion while welcoming the BNP chief upon her return home, as there is an SSC exam scheduled for Tuesday.
The BNP Secretary General also called upon law enforcers and party workers to ensure that no public inconvenience arises during the reception of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
“We urge the police authorities, especially those involved with traffic management, to ensure that no one is allowed to stand on the streets,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of maintaining order during the SSC examination, the BNP leader requested all leaders and activists of the party and its affiliated organisations not to block roads or disrupt traffic.
“Everyone must remain alert so that students can reach their exam centres without any difficulty. We will all do our utmost to ensure that examinees face no trouble in getting to their exam centres,” Fakhrul assured.
He also requested the general public to use the elevated expressway from the airport to Kakoli during Khaleda’s return to avoid traffic congestion.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) also on Monday stated that there is a possibility of traffic congestion due to excessive crowding in the Gulshan-Banani area to welcome Khaleda.
It also issued a set of car parking instructions for the vehicles of journalists and arriving guests to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to city traffic.
Khaleda Zia travelled to London on 8 January in a special air ambulance sent by the Emir of Qatar.
Upon arrival, she was admitted to the London Clinic, a private hospital, where she remained under the care of renowned specialists Professor Patrick Kennedy and Professor Jennifer Cross for 17 days.
Since 25 January, she had been receiving treatment at the residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman.
After 17 days at the London Clinic, she has since been under the supervision of specialists Prof Patrick Kennedy and Prof Jennifer Cross at Tarique Rahman’s residence.
