Hasina pledges to remove plight of Monga-hit people
Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the sufferings of the people of the northern districts would be alleviated if Awami League (AL) comes to power in the next general election.
Addressing a dozen roadside rallies during the first day of her four-day visit to the northern districts, Hasina blasted the BNP-Jamaat-led ruling coalition 'for not taking any steps yet' to mitigate the misery of the Monga-hit people in the country's northern part.
"When thousands of people are starving, the prime minister, her son and the cabinet members have been siphoning public money out of the country," said Hasina, also the president of AL.
The former prime minister called on the well-off and leaders of her party to come forward to the aid of the people in distress.
Our Rangpur correspondent reports: Sheikh Hasina demanded that the government disburse fresh agricultural loan for the flood-affected people of Rangpur and other northern districts and write off the existing loans. She also called for adequate relief supplies for those starving for days due to Monga resulted mainly from joblessness.
Addressing a public meeting at the Tukuria High School ground at Pirganj, she criticised the government for its failure to save people from acute food crisis. She said 'sheer incompetence' of the ruling alliance has caused Monga (near famine situation) in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts every year during last four years.
After the rally, Hasina distributed 100 maunds of rice among the people.
Our Bogra corespondent reports: Addressing a rally at Sherpur Bus Stand, Sheikh Hasina said the reforms in the caretaker government system must be carried out to ensure people's participation in the election. "The countrymen would teach the four-party alliance a lesson, if the next election is held in a free, fair and neutral manner," she added.
The opposition leader said there was a sufficiency of food when AL was in power. She said it was possible as her government gave the highest subsidy in the agriculture sector.
Our Gaibandha correspondent adds: Hasina said prices of essentials have already spiralled out of the commoners' reach while the rural people are struggling with farming as prices of fertiliser and diesel also go on rising.
She said the prime minister's family has been busy plundering public wealth instead of taking care of the Monga-hit people. Addressing a roadside rally at Chthurang in Gobindaganj upazila, Hasina urged the people to unite in opposition to the 'misrule' of BNP-Jamaat alliance.
AL leaders Obaidul Quader, Abdul Mannan, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Akteruzzaman, Mirza Azam MP, Bahauddin Nasim, among others, spoke at the rally.
Earlier in the morning, Hasina set out on the trip to distribute relief among the Monga-affected people in the northern districts from her residence Sudha Sadan.
BDNEWS from Lalmonirhat reports: A number of 'chocolate' bombs exploded yesterday in front of a school in the town ahead of Sheikh Hasina's visit to Lalmonirhat.
Sources said a group of unidentified men blasted 20 to 22 crackers in an alley near Giasuddin High School and made off.
None was injured in the blasts, which caused panic among the locals.
Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit the Monga-hit areas of Lalmonirhat today.
Superintendent of Police in the district Mejbahuddin told BDNEWS that they are investigating the incident.
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