Khaleda, Tarique need to be remanded

The Gono Bhaban yesterday denied The Daily Star reporter access to cover the prime minister's press conference without giving any reason. The Daily Star, however, carries the report based on information obtained from secondary sources.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman should be remanded to unearth the mystery behind the assassination of former president Ziaur Rahman.
"They termed Ershad the killer of Ziaur Rahman but didn't sue him. Even they didn't feel ashamed of taking every benefit from Ershad. Mother (Khaleda) and son should be taken into remand in the Ziaur Rahman killing trial and to know their level of involvement in the murder," she said in response to journalists' queries.
Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, made her remarks at a press conference at her official residence Gono Bhaban. The conference was organised to inform the media about the outcomes of her recent six-day visit to China.
Recently at a discussion in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, BNP senior vice-chairman Tarique demanded "remand" for Hasina to "crack the mystery" of his father Ziaur Rahman's killing.
Sheikh Hasina also raised question why Khaleda and Tarique did not want to see the corpse of Zia.
Responding to a query about BNP chief's offer for talks, she said, "Mother is talking about dialogue and son is demanding my remand. First, they have to settle what they want actually...I personally phoned her and talked with her. Now with whom will I talk?"
Criticising her Khaleda for her bid to resist the January 5 national polls through violence, Hasina said, "She killed hundreds of people to resist the election. Will she return the lives of those victims?"
About talks with Khaleda, the PM reminded the foreign people and organisations, including the European Union, that Khaleda was no longer the opposition leader and she did not have any official status and that they should keep it in mind.
Responding to a query about the construction of a deep-sea port off Cox's Bazar coast, Hasina said her government had received several proposals from different countries. "We will go for the country, which can construct it at the earliest."
When asked that a section of civil and military administration feels that they have brought the Awami League to power, the PM said it was the people who only can determine who would come to power. "An election was held in the country where 40 percent of the people voted, and through their votes we came to power. If anyone casts votes in favour of us and thinks of bringing us power, then I have nothing to say."
The premier termed her China visit successful.