Forge unity to dislodge govt
Suranjit urges pro-liberation forces at rally held to press for Manik's release
Staff Correspondent, Sylhet
Awami League Presidium member Suranjit Sengupta MP has said his party believes in joint movement and is determined to "free the people" from the alliance government's "misrule" through forging unity of pro-liberation forces. He was addressing a big public meeting at Haiderpur High School playground at Bhatgaon union in Chhatak upazila in Sunamganj district on Friday. He called upon all pro-liberation forces to unite to dislodge the government. It was organised jointly by Bhatgaon union AL, its fronts Juba League and Chhatra League and Manik Mukti Parishad to press immediate release of former lawmaker and district AL vice-president Muhibur Rahman Manik. Manik is serving a 10-year jail term for the bomb blast at his house at Chhatak upazila headquarters on March 15, 1999. The verdict was passed by the Sylhet Speedy Trial Tribunal. Sutranjit alleged that the government is "killing" people in the name of cross fire without any trial. "It is doing mockery in the name of speedy trial and sending opposition activists to jail out of political grudge", he said. Such "mockery" is not only taking place in Sylhet or Sunamganj. The whole country is experiencing the same, he added. "We will go for legal battle to protest these unjust acts". A front ranking leader of AL, Sengupta was Parliamentary Affairs Advisor to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He alleged that Manik has been jailed only due to political rivalry, nothing else. "We would not have said anything had the verdict was from any other court", he said. Turning to the economic front, the Al leader said the government is claiming that it had successfully tacked the affects of the recent flood. But prices of all essentials, particularly that of rice are increasing during the ongoing harvest. Sunamganj was the worst hit district in the flood, but got the least food relief, he claimed. The situation in northern districts is more precarious. Millions have left homes in northern districts and flocked to towns as they do not have food or work. He also alleged that aftermath has Abdul Hannan, president of Bhatgaon union AL, chaired the meeting. It was also addressed by, among others, district AL Vice-President Advocate Aftabu-ddin, Sylhet city AL General Secretary Advocate Misbahu-ddin Siraj, central Juba League member Enamul Kabir Imon, Acting General Secretary of Sunamganj AL Nantu Roy, Sylhet City AL Vice President Advocate Raj Uddin, Jagannathpur Pourashava Chair-man Mizanur Rashid, District Juba league Convener Advocate Abdul karim, district Krishak league Convener Baptu Roy, Chhatra League general secretary Nure Alam Siddiquee Ujjal and Bhatgaon UP Chairman Gias Mia. Syed Ahmed and Abdul Hakim conducted the meeting while Hafej Hira Mia recited from the holy Quarn at the beginning.
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