AL govt ensures security to BNP programmes

Information Minister and Awami League joint general secretary Hasan Mahmud yesterday said BNP had carried out grenade attacks on Awami League rallies but the AL government is now ensuring security to BNP programmes.

"This is the difference between them and us. We are strong with people's power. But they believe in conspiracy and power of arms," he said.

Hasan was addressing a views-exchange meeting with local AL leaders ahead of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Rajshahi on January 29.

Rajshahi city and district units of Awami League arranged the meeting at Rajshahi Medical College auditorium, attended by leaders and activists of the party from all eight districts under Rajshahi division.

Hasan Mahmud is tasked with overseeing organisational activities in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions as joint general secretary of AL.

Hasan said BNP is holding meetings in different parts of the country and the government is extending cooperation to hold the rally.

"When we were in opposition and they were in power, 24 people were killed and over 400 people, including Sheikh Hasina, got injured in the grenade attack on August 21, 2004," he said.

A dozen of people were killed in the attack on Sheikh Helal's public rally and Kibria and Ahsanullah Master were killed in bomb attacks, he said, adding that attack was also launched on Suranjit Sengupta's public rally.

"In that period, we gathered at Russel Squire with 40-50 people and were charged with baton repeatedly. Central leaders -- Matia Chowdhury, Muhammad Nasim and many others -- were also baton charged," he said.

On the contrary, not a single BNP leader faced such situation during the incumbent AL government's tenure.

Hasan urged the AL leaders and activists to highlight the country's development and successes of the present government through cultural activities throughout the Rajshahi division to make the meeting a total success.

Rajshahi Mayor and Awami League Presidium Member AHM Khairuzzaman Liton addressed the event as chief guest with the city unit president Muhammad Ali Kamal in the chair.

AL Organizing Secretary SM Kamal Hossain, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder, Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Shamsul Haque Tuku, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, AL Population and Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rokeya Sultana, local lawmakers and Rajshahi city and district AL leaders also joined the meeting.