Tight security arrangements have been made around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area for the funeral of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The funeral was scheduled to be held at 2 pm on Wednesday (December 31), but by 11 am, Manik Mia Avenue and the surrounding area were filled with mourners.
Despite the cold weather, people rushed to the parliament area from various roads in the capital, including Farmgate, Bijoy Sarani, Dhanmondi, Asadgate and Mirpur, to attend the funeral. A tight security cordon was set up at the West Gate, South Plaza, East Gate, Chandrima Udyan and the gates adjacent to Ganabhaban of the National Parliament, consisting of the army, police, BGB and volunteers. Searches were conducted through the archway at the entrance to Manik Mia Avenue.
Meanwhile, a crowd of BNP leaders and activists and ordinary people were seen in Gulshan to catch a glimpse of their beloved leader. Traffic was closed in the Gulshan-1 area for security reasons.
At 11:10 am, the motorcade carrying the body of Begum Khaleda Zia, draped in the national flag, left her Gulshan residence for the National Parliament Building. As the motorcade moved along under tight security from the army, police, BGB and RAB, hundreds of leaders, activists and supporters waiting on both sides waved their last goodbyes. Many were seen emotional and crying.
Earlier, the former prime minister passed away at 6 am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital. The government has declared three days of national mourning following his death and a general holiday is being observed across the country on Wednesday.