‘Stay alert and united against security threats’
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader yesterday called upon the countrymen to remain alert as there is “no reason to think that the incident that happened in Sri Lanka would not take place in Bangladesh.”
“Incidents like Holey Artisan attack happened in the country. What was the situation in Dhaka after that? It [the city] looked like a ghost town... We all have to remain alert and united,” he said.
Quader, also road transport and bridges minister, made the remarks at the AL headquarters on Bangabandhu Avenue. Dhaka South City unit of AL organised the meeting, marking its 70th founding anniversary.
In April, several bombs went off at three Sri Lankan churches and three luxury hotels that killed 253 people while on July 1, 2016, armed militants stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in the capital’s Gulshan and killed 20 hostages, mostly foreign nationals. Two police officials were also killed during the 12-hour standoff at the eatery.
Quader also talked about BNP’s imprisoned chairperson Khaleda Zia’s bail, and said the government would not interfere if the court grants bail to her.
“We are very respectful of the judiciary. There will be no objection from the government if the court grants her (Khaleda) bail,” Quader said.
Referring to BNP Standing Committee Member Moudud Ahmed’s recent remark that their party chief would be released from jail on bail within the current week, Quader said Moudud might have thought that the court would grant Khaleda Zia bail.
“I am sure that there will be no interference from the government. We respect the independence of the judiciary. The court has awarded her (Khaleda) punishment and it can also release her from imprisonment,” he said.
Quader also urged party people to not ignore the dedicated activists, saying if the committed activists are ignored, Awami League will not sustain.
“Awami League is not a party of opportunists… They (opportunist activists) will not be found during difficult times of the party,” he said, calling upon party leaders to stand by dedicated, insolvent and ailing activists.
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