BNP chairperson and leader of the opposition Khaleda Zia has said the March for Democracy programme will continue until Monday to retrieve
the country’s democracy and sovereignty.
“We will continue the March for Democracy programme tomorrow, even day after tomorrow. The programme will continue as long as you (Hasina)
hold me hostage. Let’s see what you can do,” Khaleda Zia asserted adding that a demonstration will also stage tomorrow in the capital.
Khaleda Zia assailed the Prime Minister for indulging in terrorist activities and said the boat of Awami League will not be able to reach
its destination through the sea of blood by killing innocent people.
The ruling Awami League will face a dire consequence and the premier is waiting for that, she warned.
“We, the countrymen will see the tragic consequences for what the Prime Minister is doing now. Get preparation to face the consequences.
Your boat won’t reach the destination,” an angry Khaleda told reporters inside her Gulshan residence after being barred to come out
of the house on Sunday afternoon.
Khaleda Zia was scheduled to take part in the March for Democracy Programme in front of her party’s Naya Paltan central office in the
capital.
“I am still leader of the opposition in the parliament. I want to take to the street as my March for Democracy programme is peaceful. I want
to take part in the programme. Why you put barricade on my free movement. None have rights to do so,” she said accusing the PM.
The people from all walks of life are heading towards the capital carrying the national flags to make the programme a success. The
government has dishonoured the flags by putting barriers on their way to the capital, she said.
Being barred by law enforcers, she got down from the car at 3:35 pm and said, “All you (police) come here and stay in front of my
residence. That’s fine. I will do the same everyday. Let’s see how long we can continue. Is the country you ancestral property,” he asked
the PM.
Terming the government as illegal and undemocratic, she said the ruling Awami League is doing everything to hang on to power through
illegal means. The government should resign immediately to avert the cruel consequence, she added.
Khaleda Zia has said the government wants to foil the March for Democracy programme by letting loose its terrorist and police forces
on the streets.
“Enforce a counter programme to beat the March for Democracy programmer if you (govt) have enough courage,” she issued a challenge.
The 18-party alliance chief also criticised the law enforcers for their frequent ‘firing’ on the common people in the name of anti-crime
drive. The law enforcers are engaged in killing and disappearing people and ransacking houses of the opposition party men to thwart the
antigovernment campaign.
She also accused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of for BDR carnage that took place its Pilkhana headquarter on February in 2009 and said the
government also killed innocent people by unleashing a crackdown on the peaceful rally of the Hefajat-e-Islami at Motijheel Shapla chatter
on May 5 in 2013.
“How many people do you want to kill? Don’t you have mothers and sisters,” she posed a question to the PM and said natural disaster
will fall on the government for its misdeeds and wrongdoings. The ruling Awami League will be held responsible for its acts of killing,
abduction and forced disappearance, she warned.
She said the international communities are well informed that how many people have so far been killed and how many people are disappeared by
the government in association with the police and Rapid Action Battalion to implement its agenda.
When BNP was in power, the then opposition Awami League had observed at least 174 days of hartal and liked innocent people by unleashing
Logi-Boitha (Bambo sticks-boat oar) movement. But BNP did not go for stern action at that time, she said.
“We are kind to our people. We have love and affection for the people as well as the country and we did not fire a single round of bullet on
the people at that time,” she said.
Khaleda also accused the government of heading towards a lopsided national poll and said a total of 154 MPs aspirants have already been
elected unopposed in the 10th parliamentary poll. This is not called election but just a selection, she said.
Khaleda Zia expressed her anger to the acts of the police personnel and asked them to discharge their neutral duties without taking side
of the government.
“We have no enmity towards the police and members of the other law enforcement agencies. Don’t be side with the government. Be neutral
and think about people, stay with people,” she said.
Khaleda Zia asked the government to spot the ongoing politics of confrontation and said the tears of the orphans and widows of the
slain BDR officers will never go in vain.
Those who are engaged in unleashing torturers and repressions on the innocent people will go blind by shading tears, she said.
Being enraged with the female cops, she said, “Hey girls, shut up. Why are you making noise? How long have been doing your job? Tell you
officer to meet me. I want to talk to the police official. Do you understand?” – Staff Reporter
