Dhaka: BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday alleged that their leaders and activists have now got second-class citizens as the country has turned into an ‘Awami League colony’.

‘Opposition leaders and activists have now turned into second-class citizens in Bangladesh...the entire country has now become a colony of Awami League due to venomous attack of current illegal regimes’ fascism,’ he said.

The BNP leader came up with the remarks while speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, reports the UNB.

He said police obstructed their party leaders and activists at different parts of the country today from observing their scheduled black-flag procession programme, protesting the conviction of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman in August-21 grenade attack cases.

‘Our leaders and activists are observing black-flag procession programme across the country, including Dhaka. But police have continued their repressive acts,’ Rizvi added.

He said police also arrested their some party leaders and activists foiling their programmes.

As part of their countrywide programme, Rizvi said he along with some party leaders and activists took out a black-flag procession near Shyamoli Cinema Hall in the morning.

He said police have started harassing and arresting their party leaders and activists in Sylhet ahead of Jatiya Oikyafront’s scheduled public rally there on Wednesday.

He alleged that police are raiding the houses of BNP leaders and activists and harassing their family members in Sylhet. ‘It’s regrettable that over an 80-year-old BNP leader Saidur Rahman was arrested from his house. Our leaders and activists now can’t stay in their houses in Sylhet.’

He alleged that no one, except Awami League leaders and activists, has any right, including the right of expression, in the country.