“Police arrested our 20-25 leaders and activists just after the conclusion of our human-chain programme in front of the Jatiya Press Club,” BNP assistant organising secretary Abdus Salam Azad told UNB.

He said the arrested party leaders include Anwar Hossain, Dhaka north city unit organising secretary Farroque Hossain, its leaders Amir Hossain, Ripon, Mahbubur Rahman Dipu and Mostak Sarker.

The BNP leader said the arrested BNP men were taken to Shahbagh and Ramna police stations.

BNP formed the human chain protesting the conviction of its chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Charitable Trust graft case.

Several hundred BNP leaders and followers formed the human chain around 11:00 am in front of the Jatiya Press Club amid tight security.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and its other senior leaders addressed the programme.

A good number of party leaders and activists started leaving the programme venue after 11:30 am fearing police actions after its conclusion.  

Before concluding the rally 6 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, Fakhrul called upon the law enforcers not to arrest their party leaders and activists on their way back home. 

“I would like to call upon the law enforcers you please don’t arrest anyone from here. It’s our request to you,” he insisted.