Civil society briefing today on talks call

A group of civil society members will hold a press conference today to talk about their call for a national dialogue to solve the ongoing political crisis.

The conference will focus on the letters they sent to President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Monday, requesting them to hold talks, said a press release.

“The security of the citizens is terribly hampered due to the ongoing violence all over the country,” reads the release, issued yesterday evening. “Many citizens are worried in this situation. We are worried as well.”

The BNP-led 20-party alliance on January 5 called an indefinite blockade that has led to widespread bomb and arson attacks and killings. Both education and economy have been hit hard.

Calling for dialogue to end the crisis, a civil society platform under the banner of Nagorik Samaj wrote to the president, prime minister and the BNP chief following a view-exchange meet of people from different professions on February 7.

Some ministers and leaders of the ruling Awami League-led alliance have blasted the civil society members for the move, accusing them of “remaining silent” about the ongoing blockade violence.

Former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda, who signed the letters on behalf of civil society members, is likely to speak at the press conference beginning at 11:00am at the Jatiya Press Club.

Former caretaker government advisers Dr Akbar Ali Khan, M Hafizuddin Khan and CM Shafi Sami, eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik, columnist Syed Abul Maksud and Sujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder will attend the programme.