BNP, Jamaat join hands with killers of Bangabandhu

Ruling Awami League (AL) lawmakers yesterday in parliament accused BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami of joining hands with the killers of Bangabandhu, and of engaging together in a conspiracy to destabilise the country in a bid to regain power illegally.

They demanded that the government identifies the perpetrators and patrons of the recent bomb attack on AL MP Fazle Noor Taposh, and metes out exemplary punishments, as the lives of all lawmakers are in danger since the incident.

In the face of demands of ruling party lawmakers who raised the issue on a point of order, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali, who was presiding over the sitting, said a general discussion will be held on it next week.

Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury requested the chair to schedule a date in consultation with the leader of the House for holding a discussion on the point.

Taking the floor on a point of order, AL lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta initiated the unscheduled discussion on the recent bomb attack on Taposh, who had narrowly escaped it.

As soon as Suranjit completed his speech, the deputy speaker declined to allow the floor to other lawmakers on the issue saying, "You will have to submit a notice for holding a discussion on it."

But in the face of repeated demands of lawmakers, the deputy speaker allowed AL lawmakers Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Amir Hossain Amu, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) MP Hasanul Haque Inu to talk about the matter.

"In the trial proceedings, it was unearthed that Zia [late president Ziaur Rahman] was involved in the killing of Bangabandhu. Zia rehabilitated the killers and their family members," Selim alleged.

He noted that Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia did not condemn the attack on Taposh.

"It would not be possible for Babar [former state minister for home] alone to carry out the August 21 grenade attack. It was Hawa Bhaban's conspiracy," he added.

Selim, also an AL presidium member, said BNP and Jamaat are boycotting the parliament without any reason, and telling lies to mislead the people in a bid to come back to power illegally.

As AL lawmaker Suranjit stood up seeking the floor, the deputy speaker wanted to know his point of order. In response, Suranjit said when an MP's life is not in order, the House cannot be in order.

"I talked to many lawmakers. They have been suffering from anxieties since the bomb attack," Suranjit said.

He criticised the home minister for not making any statement in the House to inform the lawmakers about the incident. Lawmakers supported Suranjit's speech thumping their desks.

AL lawmaker Amir Hossain Amu said lives of all lawmakers are in danger after the bomb attack on Taposh.

He said patrons of the killers of Bangabandhu must be uprooted along with the completion of the killers' trial.

Hasanul Haque Inu said the bomb used in the attack on Taposh has an address. "The address of the bomb is communalism, militants, and anti-liberation forces. Democracy will be in danger if the evil forces are not tackled with an iron hand," he said.

He demanded that a resolution be passed in the House condemning the attack on Taposh.