The policemen deputed for the security of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Gulshan residence were withdrawn this morning.

The 7-member police team left the area around 7:00am, Syrul Kabir Khan, a staff of the BNP chief's media wing, told The Daily Star.

“They said they were leaving under orders from high-ups,” he said.

Seven policemen led by an assistant sub-inspector were redeputed around Khaleda’s house since she returned to her residence after a three-month stay in her office.

Jahangir Alam Sarker, acting deputy commissioner (media), of Dhaka Metropolitan Police told The Daily Star that Khaleda’s state-provided security was indeed withdrawn.

BNP international affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon, at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka, alleged that the government was trying to heat up the political situation with the latest move.

He also blasted out at the government for yesterday’s incident at Uttara where ruling party men obstructed Khaleda’s motorcade during Tabith Awal’s city polls campaign.