DHAKA: Opposition BNP is taking preparation to challenge legally the government decision canceling Koko’s parole.

“Such government action is a manifestation of government’s hostile and indecent attitude,” it was stated in a midnight meeting of BNP’s panel of lawyers on Thursday night.

Senior members of the panel had an emergency meeting late on Thursday night at BNP Chairperson`s Gulshan office.

BNP Joint Secretary Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Chairperson’s Advisor Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan and President of Dhaka District Bar Association Advocate Sanaullah Mia, among others, were present at the meeting.

The government cancelled the parole of ex-PM Khaleda Zia’s younger son Arafat Rahman Koko and called him back home by August 31 as there are cases pending against him.

BNP Secretary-General Khandaker Delwar Hossain told banglanews24.com.bd, "The government decision of canceling Koko`s parole is nothing but a hostile attitude of the government against the opposition."

Delwar also said, “At a time when the government is withdrawing hundreds of cases against ruling-party people, instead of withdrawing Koko’s cases it rather cancelled his parole granted for treatment of his serious illness.”

BNP Standing Committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman told banglanews24.com.bd, "I’ve heard about this, but I’m not sure. Necessary steps would have to be taken after being sure about the government decision.”

In reply to a question from reporters he also said that the country’s people would not take the decision easily.

"It is not clear why the government is behaving this way with a non-political person," he added.

Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan said, "Such a decision exposes government’s nervousness and sick mentality."

He would not disclose what transpired in the midnight meeting.

Koko, his bother Tareque Rahman and mother Khaleda Zia, the present opposition leader, were among a large number of high-profile persons, including politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats, detained during a massive anti-graft drive following the 1/11 changeover in the country’s political arena.

Koko was arrested on August 2, 2007 in Gatco case and set free from jail at the fag-end of the past military-backed interim regime for treatment abroad.

BDST: 0438 HRS, AUGUST 20, 2010.