Attention of the Army Headquarters has been drawn to a news item broadcast on Monday on the BBC Bangla programme and reports published in different national dailies yesterday regarding the raising of a barricade in front of the residence of the Leader of the Opposition and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. an ISPR press release said in the city, reports BSS.

It said in this context there is much scope for stating the facts for all to know.

It said measures are taken to maintain overall security and traffic control of the Cantonment as per the Army Act.

Many times stop-bar. speed breaker and road divider are used at the entry point of the main road from lane or by-lane to avoid accidents. As part of this system like other places in the Cantonment, similar steps had been taken at the crossing point of Shaheed Mainul Road and the main road.

The crossing point was located 300 yards east off the residence of Begum Zia.

Begum Khaleda Zia and her son came at the end of Shaheed Mainul Hossain Road at 6-45 pm on Monday after its divider had been repaired. They stayed' there for nearly 1.45 minutes

ISPR version

From Page 1 and made provocative statements against the army.

It said no objection was raised during daytime when road divider was being repaired.

Some curious pedestrians thronged there while BNP chairperson was shouting at the soldiers on duty.

Begum Zia said, the government had destroyed the army. The government has withdrawn the army from the Chittagong Hill Tracts and engaged them in controlling traffic. Addressing the soldiers and the officers present there, she further said, "don’t you want to continue your job in the Army in future?" These provocative utterances are contrary to Section 239 of Cantonment Act. 1924.

It said persons who reside in the Cantonment area along with their family have to abide by the prescribed rules for entering the Cantonment. Besides. intending visitors are allowed to enter the Cantonment after interrogation at different check posts and accordingly, all persons, both civilians and army, are observing such rules.

But the Leader of the Opposition and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and the visitors who come to her residence till dead of night engage themselves in politics with different political leaders in the Cantonment defying the prescribed rules.

It may be specially mentioned that her son. along with a large number of friends, often moves in and out of the Cantonment area at the dead of night in vehicles at high speed which at times creates possibility of serious accidents.

It Is expected that those who reside inside the Cantonment area will remain respectful to the security rules of the Cantonment and refrain from making any political statements or activities there.