Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday strongly condemned and protested the government move to cut off utility services to her Gulshan political office in the capital.
The BNP alleged that the Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (DESCOL) snapped the electricity line to the office around 2:45am on Saturday. After the shutdown of power, cable, Internet and mobile phone network connections were also snapped later on the day.
As a backup four drums of fuel have been brought to the office to keep the electric generator running.
Terming the incident as cruel and the worst behaviour of the government, she said, "I am shocked and I have no words to react."
Lambasting the government for the action, the BNP chief said, "A civil government cannot do this? it is beyond the imagination in a civil society."
"Cutting off power, cable and internet lines without any notice is violation of my civil and human rights," Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, Press Secretary to Khaleda, quoted her as telling BNP leaders, who came to her office in the evening.
Bringing reference to an action of the authorities in 2014 when sand-laden trucks were placed in front of her Gulshan office to restrict her movement before the January 5 election, she said, "This time, the government has set the worse example."
Meanwhile, Salah Uddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary General of the party, in a statement said that the incumbent government had established a 'Martial Democracy' in the country in the guise of democracy as 'it had turned the will of one person as the source of law.'
Salah Uddin urged to reconnect all utility facilities including power supply immediately. "Otherwise, the government will have to take the responsibility for the unfolding situation," he warned.
The BNP leader said, "The government has snatched all democratic and constitutional rights of the people by restricting expression of views."
He urged the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations to take steps realising the prevailing situation in the country.
Khaleda Zia is still in her office along with her late son Arafat Rahman Koko's wife Sharmila Rahman, their two daughters, BNP Vice Chairman Selima Rahman, General Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Mahila Dal Shirin Sultana, BNP Chairperson's Special Secretary Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, press wing staff Shairul Kabir Khan, and Shamsuddin Didar.