Fooreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni on Thursday said the government will appeal before the Indian court if justice is not served in the final verdict of the Felani killing case. “We’ve sought information about the trial process of Felani killing case from Indian authorities…we’ve wanted to know what’s remaining in the trial process on the killing. If we don’t get justice, we’ll appeal,” she told a press briefing at the Foreign Ministry in the afternoon.
Felani was shot dead by a BSF man while she was entering Bangladesh through Anantapur border point in Kurigram district on January 7, 2011, triggering a huge global outcry. On Friday, the special court, constituted by the Indian Border Security (BSF), in its verdict acquitted the lone accused, BSF constable Amiya Ghosh, from the charge of killing Felani.
About the long-waited Teesta deal, Dipu Moni said although both Bangladesh and Indian governments earlier had agreed to sign the Teesta deal, there has been no headway in this regard so far because of India’s internal problems.
“Signing the Teesta deal is a matter of time now. It’ll be signed today or tomorrow. Now we’re working with the Joint River Commission as we’ve huge potentials of hydropower generation,” she said.
About India’s plan to deploy drones along the Indo-Bangla border, the Foreign Minister said the government has sought information from the India authorities in this regard, but did not get any information yet.
Replying to a question about the upcoming general election, she said the parliamentary polls will be held in the country in accordance with the constitution as held in other democracies. “The democratic process and institutions are moving ahead in the country steadily. So, there’s no scope to be worried over the next parliamentary polls. It’ll be held with the participation of all political parties,” the Foreign Minister said.
If the opposition agrees, Dipu Moni said, discussions could be held to find out a way to determine the polls-time government formula. “The door is always open for discussion. If it’s held outside the country, no problem,” she added.
About her recent USA visit, Dipu Moni said she urged the US authorities to hand over Rashed Chowdhury, a self-confessed killer of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to Bangladesh government, and they assured her of looking into it. – UNB
