BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday reiterated her demand for holding immediately the parliamentary election under a non-partisan government saying that if it is too late the situation may go out of control.
“The prime minister will have to bear a dare consequence if her administration delays to hold a fresh election under a non-partisan government. No one will be able to control the situation,” she said while addressing a rally at the National Press Club protesting police barring the Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF) to hold it at Supreme Court premises.
The rally was scheduled to be held at the apex court’s ground protesting killing, enforced disappearance and abduction including seven-murder in Narayanganj and demanding justice and establishment of rule of law in the country.But police foiled the programme saying that there was no permission for holding the rally at SC premises. Later, the rally was shifted to the National Press Club, across the street from the SC.
Police detained at least 29 pro-BNP lawyers including, former Dhaka Bar Association General Secretary Khorshed Alam for their attempt to enter the court defying a police obstruction.
Terming the present government illegal, the former premier said the government became too scared and weak. “It is even scared of BNP rallies as people are afraid of hearing the name of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). That’s why the government does not allow the BNP to hold its rallies,” she added
She demanded re-launching of 15 cases filed against the Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina during the last caretaker government on corruption charge should be revived.
“If four cases against me continue, the trial proceedings of 15 lawsuits against the prime minister should be re-launched. Cases against Hasina cannot be withdrawn as she became the prime minister,” she said.
She alleged that the government is hatching constantly after me as she said that she is with the people.
“AL is hatching conspiracy as to how it can catch me but I do not care it,” she added.
The former premier said Sheikh Hasina would not be able to stay in power for life long. “You (Hasina) must be brought to book, you will have to be accountable and interrogated on all your misdeeds,” she added.
Khaleda questioned the jurisdiction of placing the national budget in the Parliament by an illegal government.
The illegal government cannot place budget in the illegal parliament, she said.
The BNP chairperson questioned the legitimacy of the 154 lawmakers saying that how the unelected people including the Speaker could be treated as lawmakers.
Terming the Jatiya Party “so-called opposition”, Khaleda said the opposition leader also was not elected by the people.
She further said opposition leader was created by the government just to sake of it without any bite.
The former premier said if there is rule of law in the country the January 5 voter less election would have been declared illegal in a single day.
She reiterated her demand to disband the RAB alleging that the AL government is using the elite force for killing, enforced disappearance and abduction of its opponents and comers.
BNP never used the RAB for political ends rather it was created to curb militancy, terrorism and smuggling, she claimed.
Referring to denial of rallies and extravagant killings of its opponents, the former premier told the government not to cross its limits as ultimately God would not pardon anyone for their misdeeds.
The BNP chairperson also demanded that no law enforcing agency including RAB would not carry out any drive to arrest any people at night. “No one should be arrested without warrant and presence of any magistrate,” she said.
“The government is surviving on guns of law enforcing agencies. It must remember that if people go against them, the guns may turn against it,” she said.
Referring to the party next course of action against the government, Khaleda said urged the people to wait and let it rot further and programme will be given on time. “Let them rod further and melt away before launching further programme,” she said
Khaleda alleged that the AL people have minted so much money now they are fighting over sharing of the booty and killing each other. Such a situation will prevail so long they will retain to power illegally, she added.
She said the main criminals of seven murders in Narayanganj are still out of touch as they were sent abroad. Those who have been taken into custody are living comfortable because if they are come under pressure they would disclose the truth, she added.
She remembered the premier that this is not of the end of the day there would be many days to come when she has to be accountable for each of her misdeeds.
The former premier questioned the existence of democracy, rule of law and justice in the country when elected representatives of bar council and bar association are not allowed to hold rallies. Human rights are being violated at every step of life,” she said.
Referring to Ekram killing in Fulgazi in Feni, she demanded arrest of Joynal Hazari and Nizam Hazari to place them on remand.
She called upon the party leaders and activists to get united saying, “Our victory certain and the victory of democracy will win.”
Meanwhile, the JAF declared five-day programme including boycotting the courts from 10:30am to 1.00pm on Sunday protesting the government’s move for not letting them to hold rally at the Supreme Court premises.
As part of the programme, the pro-BNP lawyers would stage countrywide agitations for Monday, human chain on Tuesday and processions with black flags on May 28 and 29.
JAF president Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia, a BNP Standing Committee member, made work abstention call from a rally at the National Press Club.
Earlier, police damaged the stage for the rally and removed seats from the site.
The pro-BNP lawyers also tried to take position in front of the main gates of the Supreme Court but police but police at one stage dispersed them from the area. Of the detainees, 17 were taken to Ramna Police Station, said Mashiur Rahman, officer-in-charge of the police station. Others were taken to Shahbagh Police Station, police said.
In the morning, police blocked the all entry points of the Supreme Court and did not allow any people to enter the Supreme Court premises.
Police said that they have obstructed the lawyers from entering the court premise as the BNP’s lawyers did not seek permission from SC authorities.
Presided over by JAF president Barrister Rafiqul Islam Miah, the rally was also addressed, among others, by BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Supreme Court Bar Associaiton president Khandaker Mahbub Hossain and general secretary Mahbub Uddin Khokan.
Lawyers held a brief rally at the South gate of the Supreme Court using hand mike. The rally ended at 11:45am and they joined the rally at the Press Club.
Khandakerr Mahbub Hossain, also an advier of Khaleda Zia, termed the police obstruction as unprecedented and said police forcibly took the lawyers.
He said question does not arise to take permission to hold such a rally at the Supreme Court premises. “As bar president it my jurisdiction to give permission to anyone, he added.
Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam told reporters that nobody has taken permission for yesterday rally.
Assitant commissioner of Police (Ramna Zone Shibly Noman said they have taken the measures as there was no persmiion to hold such a rally.
and detained at least 29 pro-BNP lawyers and an assistant of a lawyer this morning for their attempt to enter the court defying a police obstruction.
Former Dhaka Bar Association General Secretary Khorshed Alam is among the detainees, said Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) General Secretary AM Mahabub Uddin Kokhon. – Staff Reporter
