Sheikh Hasina was arrested to confine democracy
Information Minister and Awami League Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said the then caretaker government had arrested AL President Sheikh Hasina to stop the progress of democracy in the country.
“On July 16, 2007, AL chief Sheikh Hasina was arrested without issuing any arrest warrant,” he said while addressing a discussion, arranged by Bangladesh Swadhinata Parishad, at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium.
He said the then caretaker government spoke of establishing justice and a corruption-free nation, but it did not arrest those who made the country a safe haven for militancy and corruption. Instead, they arrested Sheikh Hasina, he added.
“She [Sheikh Hasina] was arrested [on July 16, 2007] to gag the voice of the people. Through her arrest, the country’s democracy was confined,” the AL leader said.
The AL president was released after grassroots leaders and activists waged a strong movement.
During her detention, she got many proposals from a vested quarter but she did not compromise for the greater interest of the country’s people as well as democracy, he said.
Highlighting various development works that were implemented under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, he said about 95 percent of people have access to electricity while per capita income has increased to USD 2,000 from 200.
“But many did not see any development in the country… Once BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia said the AL government could not build the Padma Bridge, but the bridge is now visible,” Dr Hasan said.
Criticising the recent remarks of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Dr Hasan said Fakhrul alleged some people are benefitting from the development projects.
“You should not forget that the World Bank had cancelled financing from five projects on graft allegations during BNP regime… We welcome constructive criticism but not blind criticism,” he added.
About BNP’s demand for its chairperson’s release, Hasan said, “There is no way to get Khaleda released without following legal procedure. That’s why, let’s walk on this path to free her.”
AL Dhaka North General Secretary Shahe Alam Murad and its leaders MA Karim, Akhter Hossin and Aminul Islam Amin, among others, spoke at the discussion with Swadhinata Parishad adviser Jahangir Alam Khan in the chair.
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