Bangladesh News

Renewing their demand for the unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina, Awami League central leaders yesterday threatened to wage a nonstop agitation programme if their demand is not met.

They also said the party will arrange everything for her medical treatment.

“Set our party chief free. We’ll take care of her. Otherwise, AL will be compelled to wage a nonstop agitation programme to free our popular leader,” AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said.

He was addressing a discussion arranged at the party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue marking the historic Six-Point Day.

Presided over by presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, the discussion was addressed, among others, by other presidium members Tofail Ahmed, Abdur Razzak, Motia Chowdhury, Suranjit Sengupta and acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam.

About the government’s decision to form a medical board for Hasina’s treatment, Amu said, it’s “better late than never”.

“People are our main strength. But first of all release Sheikh Hasina. We want to join the dialogue and contest the next election with our leader,” Suranjit told the discussion.

He alleged the caretaker government has resorted to a conspiracy ahead of the election by suddenly forming a medical board and raising the issue of reviewing the constitution.

He reiterated that there is no possibility of unity with the BNP as expected by its Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain.

“The government’s intention for holding an election in the country is dubious. It’s talking about holding a free and fair election on one hand and is arresting thousands of innocent people on the other,” Motia Chowdhury said.

She said the government has allowed indoor politics on a limited scale, but in practice it is trying to curb the limited politics through the crackdown. Motia urged the government to lift the state of emergency

Acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam called for party’s unity at all levels, particularly among its city units, to ensure success of a future movement.

Another party presidium member Tofail Ahmed in his speech said there would be no election in Bangladesh without the release of Sheikh Hasina.