20-party slams govt

Leaders of the BNP-led 20-party alliance yesterday blasted the government for reaching an agreement with India to train Border Guard Bangladesh personnel by the Indian Border Security Force.
They also criticised the government's move to restore the parliament's authority to impeach Supreme Court judges.
The rally was organised as part of the opposition combine's three-day programme protesting the government's initiative to amend the constitution.
“You can easily understand the country's present situation through the recent deal under which our border guards will receive training from the BSF, the force from whom we will save our borders,” BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told the rally at the Jatiya Press Club.
On the empowerment of parliament to impeach judges, the BNP leader said the government through this initiative has moved to “control judiciary so that the judges               cannot deliver well thought-out verdicts.”
Terming the present Jatiya Sangsad illegal, Fakhrul said as this parliament has no elected representative, it cannot be empowered to impeach judges.
He asked the ruling party leaders to take to the streets against the BNP without the help of the Rab, police and BGB to prove their might. He added that though he did not believe in terrorism, he had to say this as he has no other option.
Mostafa Jalal Haidari, secretary general of the Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar), lambasted the government as it did not permit the alliance to hold yesterday's protest programme at 15 points in the capital. The government, he said, has forced them to organise the protest rally at the press club.        
Convenor of Dhaka city BNP Mirza Abbas alleged that the government has been formulating different policies to restrict politics.
BNP leaders Selima Rahman, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Dr Redwan and Khelafat Mojlish Secretary General Mujibar Rahman also spoke.
The opposition alliance had fixed yesterday for holding rallies and bringing out processions at 15 points in the capital. But the Dhaka city unit BNP on Tuesday announced that there will be no processions, but a rally at the Jatiya Press Club.
Yesterday's rally at the press club auditorium was rather held like a discussion.
Talking to this newspaper, several BNP leaders and activists expressed frustration over the low profile of the programme.
“We came from Tongi hoping that it would be a big rally. But the programme rather turned out to be an indoor discussion like the ones held almost everyday at the Jatiya Press Club,” said Jubo Dal leader Monir Hossain.
On Saturday, the alliance leaders and activists will form human chains in cities and district headquarters on the same issue.
Addressing a press briefing at his office in the capital on Tuesday, BGB Director General Maj Gen Aziz Ahmed said his force has agreed to receive border management training from the BSF.