DHAKA: Hundreds of students besieged the Gulshan political office of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday demanding withdrawal of hartal-blockade during Secondary School certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations. 

Students of Badda High School staged a sit-in on road no 86 Gulshan Avenue where Khaleda's office is located, at 10:30am.

Protesters carried placards with slogans –‘Don’t hurl bombs on us’, ‘Don’t throw petrol bomb’ ‘Take measures to hold SSC exams’ We want to go to school, make the way to school safe’ ‘Don’t destroy educational environment’  

School Governing Board president Mujibur Rahman said educational environment is being destroyed due to non-stop blockade-hartal. Moreover, Secondary School certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations will begin Monday.  So, we came here to urge Khaleda Zia to restore the environment of education by withdrawing hartal-blockade. 

On the other hand, police took position in the area to avert any untoward situation. 

Gulshan zone patrol inspector Amjad Hossin told banglanews that they are ready to contain any unexpected situation. 

Earlier on Friday, BNP led 20-party alliance declared to enforce a 72-hour countrywide hartal from Sunday morning protesting threats by ruling Awami League leaders to arrest BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and uproot her Gulshan political office.

BDST: 1146 HRS, JAN 31, 2015