A crowd gathers on Manik Mia Avenue

Even before the funeral of former three-time Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, a massive throng of mourners has already converged on Manik Mia Avenue. The area, designated for the funeral prayers, is overflowing with party activists and ordinary citizens alike.

The funeral prayer is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Wednesday at Manik Mia Avenue. Yet, from the early hours of the morning, people began arriving, braving the intense cold and fog that have blanketed the city. As the day progresses, the crowd continues to swell, with people from all corners of the country coming to pay their last respects to the resolute national leader. The grief is evident on the faces of those in attendance, many of whom have travelled long distances, some on foot, after disembarking from their vehicles along the city’s entry points.

Authorities have implemented extensive security arrangements to ensure the event proceeds smoothly. In addition to the police, personnel from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), the Army, and the Armed Police Battalion (APBN) have been deployed. More than 10,000 law enforcement officers are expected to maintain order throughout the day.

According to Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) sources, security measures will be particularly stringent along the route from Evercare Hospital to Manik Mia Avenue, where the hearse will travel. The surrounding areas, including Zia Uddan, have been under heightened police vigilance since Tuesday night. Full security protocols will remain in place from the commencement of the funeral prayers through to the burial.

The DMP has emphasised that every measure has been taken to allow citizens from all walks of life to pay their respects safely. Special arrangements have also been made to ensure that streets surrounding Manik Mia Avenue can accommodate the large number of mourners.

The sheer turnout at Manik Mia Avenue reflects the enduring influence of Khaleda Zia in Bangladesh’s political landscape and the deep sorrow felt nationwide at the loss of a prominent national figure.