Khaleda Zia
Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia (file image)

The Bangladesh police Thursday arrested two BNP leaders for allegedly instigating violence.

BNP leader Major (retired) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed was arrested shortly after he came out of Bangladesh’s apex court in Dhaka Thursday, Xinhua news agency reported.

BNP joint secretary General Khairul Kabir Khokon was also arrested from the Supreme Court area Thursday.

A Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) official said both the BNP leaders were arrested in connection with Tuesday’s clash between police and a group of BNP activists on a road in front of the apex court.

Police lodged the case on Tuesday naming 20 to 25 BNP leaders for instigating violence, said a police official.

Two policemen were injured in the clash during protest carried out by BNP in front of the High Court building seeking former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia‘s release.

Several vehicles were allegedly vandalized during the clash.

A BNP spokesman said the arrests aimed at silencing critics and weakening oppositions’ voices.

Zia has been in jail since February 2018 after being convicted in two corruption cases.