By A P Abritty :

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman reached the public event venue at 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) after he was accorded warm reception and emotional greetings at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on arrival from London.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir earlier led the party standing committee members to greet the acting chairman and accord reception at the VVIP lounge of the airport after his return from London as Tarique Rahman embraced them with a wide smile and warm handshake.

He also exchanged pleasantries with the BNP men present at the airport and waved his hand towards them.

His mother-in-law Syeda Iqbal Mand Banu welcomed him with a flower bouquet as his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman accompanied him.

After airport proceedings, he started journey to the 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) venue by a bus amid tight security. He came out of the airport and touched down the soil with dew dropped grasses barefoot before traveling to the brief public event venue at 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road). He also grasped a fist of soil, brought to nose and sniffed being emotional.

Then, a motorcade escorted Tarique Rahman’s bus to the venue as millions of people standing on the both sides of airport road bound to 300 feet welcomed him with chanting slogans.

A festive atmosphere prevailed at the area from airport to 300 feet as enthusiasm and excitement were evident among the activists. Some celebrated Tarique Rahman’s return by waving the national flag, others carried the party symbol Dhaner Shis (Sheaf of Paddy), while some wore colourful attire and beat drums.

The people chanted various slogans including ‘Tarique Rahman Asche, Ma-Mati Dakche’, ‘Ajker Ei Din e, Shaheed Zia Mone Pore’, ‘Tomar Amar Marka, Dhaner Shis Marka’, ‘Tarique Rahmaner Agomon, Suveceshha Sagotom’, ‘Desh Neta Asche, Bangladesh Kapche’ etc.

Tarique Rahman also replied them with waiving hand on board the bus, making an extra-ordinary emotional scenario.

Tarique Rahman finally returned to homeland as he arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here around 11.40am by a regular Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight.
“The aircraft carrying him along with his wife Dr. Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:40am after making around one-hour stopover at Sylhet’s Osmani International Airport from London,” Biman’s Managing Director and CEO Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman told BSS.

Earlier, the flight departed from London’s Heathrow Airport at 6.15pm (London Time) on Wednesday and touched down at Sylhet airport at 09:56am en route to Dhaka.

Tarique Rahman returned home after a long 17 years in exile in the UK.

A very brief public event has also been arranged in the area of July 36 Expressway (300-Foot Road) as the BNP acting chairman will express his gratitude to the people of the country there on his way to the hospital.

“This is neither a public meeting nor a formal reception program. It is simply an event for him to express his sincere gratitude to the countrymen and to seek prayers for the well-being of Begum Khaleda Zia and all citizens,” BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed told a press conference on Wednesday.

He said Tarique Rahman does not support any programme that could cause public suffering.

“For this reason, he also has requested expatriate leaders and supporters not to gather at the London airport. He, as well, instructed not to arrange any party programme in Bangladesh that could create public inconvenience,” Salahuddin added.

He also informed that Tarique Rahman even chose a government holiday for his return to minimize public suffering.

“Instead of having a large programme in a central area of the capital, a very brief event has been planned on the service lane of one side of the comparatively less crowded 300-Foot Road (36 July Expressway),” he said.

None but Tarique Rahman will speak at this event.

“Although it is not entirely possible to control the influx of eagerly waiting party activists and supporters from different parts of the country after 17 years, the party is making its utmost effort,” said Salahuddin.

Referring to the public inconvenience, he said, “We sincerely apologize for the unavoidable essential and minimal programmes taken by the party to make our beloved leader’s historic return a reality, and for any inconvenience and suffering caused by them.”

After that, he will visit his mother Begum Khaleda Zia at Evercare Hospital, where he will spend some exclusive time by her side.

From the hospital, Tarique Rahman will move to house number 196 on Gulshan Avenue. This house has been newly prepared by the BNP for his stay following his return. The house ‘Firoza,’ where BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia currently resides, is located next to this property.

Salahuddin Ahmed said on December 26, after Jummah prayers Tarique Rahman will leave his residence to go to the grave of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and offer prayers for eternal peace of the departed soul of his father. Then he will visit National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar and pay his homage to Liberation War Martyrs there.

On the December 27, he will accomplish his NID card and voter registration process, after which he will visit the grave of Shaheed Osman Hadi and offer munajat. Then he will go to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Pangu Hospital) to see those injured in the July mass uprising.

Referring to medical services and traffic management, Salahuddin said, “The event (at 300-foot road) will feature 20 medical camps, with arrangements for full-time doctors, paramedics, medicines, and ambulances. A six-bed field hospital will also be set up near the stage with an ICU ambulance.”

He mentioned that help desks would be set up at three locations-Kakoli intersection on Airport Road, in front of the international airport, and Abdullahpur-to ensure uninterrupted movement for passengers travelling to and from the airport, as well as for ambulances carrying patients. Motorcycle squads will be deployed to help keep the routes clear.

Salahuddin said, “We know that despite our best efforts, we cannot diminish the irresistible urge of the millions of people who have been waiting for 17 years across the country to see their beloved leader even once, and their current rush towards the capital. We are certain, Insha’Allah, tomorrow Bangladesh is going to witness its largest public gathering in history.”

Regarding the overall security, Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, the Chief Security Officer of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said the government is providing maximum cooperation considering all aspects and has given necessary instructions to various forces and agencies.

He expressed hope to create a combined security system coordinating government agencies and party men.

The BNP however has prepared a separate chamber for the Acting Chairman at the Chairperson’s office in Gulshan, according to party sources. A separate chamber has also been allocated for him at the Naya Paltan central office.