Step up Khaleda's security measures
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed the home ministry to step up security measures for Leader of the Opposition and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
The directive came at Saturday's meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee (ALCWC), highest decision-making body of ruling Awami League, with party chief Hasina in the chair.
But there would be no Special Security Force (SSF) escort for Khaleda as demanded by BNP last week, meeting sources say.
A number of AL central leaders blasted several ministers in presence of Hasina for what they said was not recruiting pro-AL unemployed youths in the public service despite their qualification.
The AL leaders said even after passing the written examinations, many pro-ruling party youths are not being selected for the jobs. This has created resentment among the youth, they said, pointing out to recent police constable recruitment.
In response, Hasina said rules and regulations should be followed in recruitment in the public service.
Meanwhile, home ministry officials say the government has recently provided additional security to Khaleda including eight to 10 house guards, 16 police and two vehicles for escort as demanded on behalf of the opposition leader.
"If they [BNP] demand more, we'll give them that. But providing SSF escort depends on the government," comments a home ministry official.
"According to law, the leader of the opposition is supposed to get security equal to what a minister avails. But she has been given 10 times more," AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam told reporters after the meeting held at the AL chief's political office in Dhanmondi.
The meeting adopted a condolence proposal in memory of the 57 army officers who were killed during the BDR mutiny in February last year.
GO TOUGH ON EXTORTIONISTS, TENDER MANIPULATORS
Hasina also directed Home Minister Sahara Khatun to go tough on extortionists, tender manipulators and those who are deteriorating law and order without considering their political identity and affiliation.
The premier also asked the home minister to arrest them at once, if necessary.
ALCWC DECIDES TO FORM SUB-COMMITTEES AND COMPLETE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The meeting decided to fulfil the 41-member AL advisory council, which currently has 20 members, and form the party's sub-committees.
Hasina directed the party leaders to form the sub-committees comprising those who stood brave during crisis, especially during the caretaker rule, party insiders say.
DISTRICT TOURS THIS MONTH
The meeting also decided to start district tours by the central leaders to strengthen party's grassroots activities. The tours would start soon this month.
The AL chief directed the party to focus on the government's success and activities and make people aware of the opposition's anti-government propagandas during the tours.
The meeting held BNP-Jamaat alliance responsible for the recent unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The AL general secretary alleged the coalition has still been creating tension in the area in a planned way in a bid to foil the CHT Peace Agreement.
Replying to a query, he said one candidate would be given on behalf of the AL-led grand alliance in the upcoming polls for Dhaka City Corporation, municipalities and union parishads across the country. The selection process would be coordinated by the central AL, he added.
Asked about Joy's primary membership, Syed Ashraf said the grassroots leaders of Rangpur made Joy member of the party. But it is up to Joy as to whether he would accept it.
At the meeting, party leaders expressed dissatisfaction over slow implementation pace of the government's different development projects. They said over 13 months has passed since the government assumed office, but development work is not being held that fast.
They also pointed out that no major visible development work is seen since there is slow pace in implementation, meeting sources say.
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