The BNP Standing Committee will sit this evening to finalise strategy for its Sunday’s sit-in demonstration in front of the Secretariat and the next course of action.

Sources said the party's highest decision-making body will discuss all aspects of the "major agitation programme" since the Awami League came to power about 38 months back.

Three other components of the four-party opposition alliance - Jatlya Party, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Dikya Jote - will also hold separate simultaneous sit-in demonstrations around the Secretariat to protest “government’s decision to provide corridor facility to India in the name of transshipment".

Action programmes may be announced at the "peaceful" sit-in. "There may be a series of tougher programmes if the government tries to foil the demonstration", a senior BNP leader said. '

Meanwhile. BNP Chairperson and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday held a lengthy meeting with leaders of Dhaka city BNP. all Its thana units and DCC ward commissioners from he party at her Minto Road official residence.

She instructed them to make all out efforts to ensure a massive gathering at the demonstration. the sources said.

She told them that the

from 9am to 2pm would be peaceful and disciplined.

The party chief urged them to remain alert and no to react to any provocation. There may be provocation from the government to foil the programme, but all BNP leaders and workers will have to remain "highly cautious" to avoid any untoward incident, she told them.

She also advised them to ensure participation of the commonman. “BNP want's to show people's no-confidence in the - government through this peaceful demonstration." she added.-

Begum Zia also hinted that BNP would start massive agitation programmes to dislodge the government.

The party leaders from all units expressed their determination to make the programme a complete success at any cost. Leaders from Mirpur. Pallabi, Kafrul; Uttara, Shayampur, Demra and other outlying thanas informed the meeting that they would bring people by trucks.

BNP Secretary General Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan. Joint Secretary General Mirza Abbas, city BNP Convenor Sadek Hossain Khoka. Joint Convenor Kazi Abul Bashar, Chowdhury Alam and other leaders also addressed the meeting.

The BNP Chairperson also held meetings with party leaders from Dhaka and adjoining districts and asked them to join tfte sit-in.programme.