Crowd at metro stations to attend Khaleda Zia’s janaza

Metro stations witnessed an overflowing crowd on Wednesday as people thronged to attend the Namaj-e-Janaza of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. 

The funeral prayer of Begum Zia will be held on Wednesday after Zohr prayers at Manik Mia Avenue. 

To attend the Janaza, an overwhelming rush of passengers has been observed at various metro rail stations across the capital. To ensure the security of the surroundings of the venue of Janaza, the presence and vigilance of MRT Police at the metro stations were visibly heightened.

Compared to regular days, additional police personnel were deployed at key stations, including Secretariat, Shahbagh, Farmgate and Bijoy Sarani. 

Passengers are being searched while entering the stations, and overall security measures have been strengthened. 

Those heading to attend the Janaza are purchasing tickets in an orderly manner and boarding metro trains. However, due to long queues at ticket counters and punching gates, noticeable congestion was seen at several points.

Jatiyatabadi Tarun Dal vice president Sajal Mia, who arrived from Narsingdi, told BSS that he left for Dhaka early in the morning. Despite severe traffic congestion on the way, the board metro rail from Motijeel reached the venue. 

He said they came to Dhaka, enduring all hardships to take part in the Janaza of national leader Begum Khaleda Zia, who devoted her entire life to the country. Their primary intention, he added, is to join the Janaza and pray for the forgiveness of Begum Zia’s departed soul.

He further said that around one hundred leaders and activists from his party had already reached the venue. Another group of two to three hundred leaders and activists also arrived in Dhaka. 

In addition, two to three hundred leaders and activists joined as followers of BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Moin Khan. Altogether, at least around eight hundred leaders and activists from the Narsingdi district are participating in the Janaza.

Joint General Secretary of Rupsa Thana Chhatra Dal from Khulna Khairul Raju said they left Khulna for Dhaka under the banner of Chhatra Dal at 5:00 am and reached the capital at around 9:30 am. He said nearly 1,500 Chhatra Dal leaders and activists came by rail and road, while around 2,000 under the banner of Jubo Dal and another 2,000 from Khulna District Jubo Dal also arrived in Dhaka. 

He said there was no significant suffering on the way. After the Janaza, milad and doa mahfil will be arranged in Khulna in memory of Begum Khaleda Zia, alongside the distribution of winter clothes and food among the helpless and street children.

Narayanganj District Mohila Dal General Secretary Saleha Begum told BSS that she came to Dhaka from Narail to attend the Janaza of Begum Khaleda Zia. She said three buses were arranged from their side, while many others came in smaller groups. 

Sahela mentioned that she had served as Vice Chairman of Lohagara Upazila in Narail and was elected a councillor twice. She added that immediately after the arrest of Begum Khaleda Zia in 2018, she herself was arrested in a sabotage case and sent to jail.

Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of MRT Police Siddiqi Tanjilur Rahman told BSS that passenger movement and public gatherings at metro rail stations have increased, centring on the Janaza of Begum Khaleda Zia. To manage the situation, additional MRT Police have been deployed from 9:00 am until the afternoon. 

He said security has been beefed up at important stations, particularly at Bijoy Sarani under the leadership of senior officers.

Although temporary congestion has occurred due to the time required for ticketing and punching procedures, the overall situation remains fully under control, he added.