British envoy meets Zia as anti-Govt protests continue

With the war of words between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her arch-rival Khaleda Zia escalating, the British envoy on Monday met the Opposition BNP leader, virtually under house arrest, as her party remained adamant over derailing the January 5 general elections.

British High Commis-sioner Robert Gibson met Zia over an hour at her house amid tight police security and countrywide concern over the Opposition’s agitation ahead of the polls. Gibson, however, did not speak to mediapersons after coming out of Zia’s residence.

Five sand-laden trucks have been kept in front of her house blocking the road, but one of them was moved to make way for the British envoy. 

It was repositioned after Gibson left. Western countries, including the UK and the US, have been asking ruling Awami league and Opposition BNP for a solution to the crisis stemming from sharp difference between the two parties over the nature of the poll-time Government.

Police detained three BNP women leaders, including vice chairperson Selima Rahman, when they went to meet Khaleda. They were later released.