BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan MP has demanded immediate reinstatement of the previous security arrangement for party chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad Begum Khaleda Zia.

Otherwise, he warned, the government would be held responsible for anything following "withdrawal of her security forces."

Begum Zia's official security, provided by the caretaker government during the last general elections, was downsized on Wednesday.

Addressing a largely-at- tended protest rally in front of the party central office, the BNP secretary general further said Begum Zia needs no government protection because 12 crore people of the country are ready to protect her.

Condemning the government action, he said this had raised the question if the country was under civil or military rule.

'There is no instance of such withdrawal of security force for a politician In a democratic society". he noted.

Terming Begum Zia a symbol of national independence and sovereignty. Mannan Bhuiyan said. "This subservient government has taken a position against the independence of the country."

BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmed said that protests would tje turned into resistance unless Begum Zia’s previous security arrangement was reinstated.

Abul Hasnat said providing security to a national leader also meant honouring the leader and added the then president Ziaur Rahman had honoured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's daughter Sheikh Hasina by giving her security on her return home.

Abdullah Al Noman said the government took decision at a time when Begum Zias son Tarek Zia was planning to Join politics.