Hafizuddin fears movement if 2 ex-premiers not tried flawlessly

Former adviser to a caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan yesterday said people would launch united movement in the country if the trial process of the two detained former prime ministers had flaws, imperfection or were influenced.
"People will not accept any influenced or imperfect judgment in the two leaders' [Khaleda and Hasina] trials and certainly demonstrations will be made in the country," said the former adviser observing that there are some flaws in their trial process.
Speaking at the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap held at Hard Point, west bank of Jamuna in Sirajganj, he said the trials of BNP chief Khaleda Zia and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina should be transparent so that none can question the fairness of the trials.
Awami League Organising Secretary Mahmudur Rahman Manna, former chairman of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas and lawyer Shamima Yasmin Reema also featured in the Sanglap as panellists.
BBC Bangla Service in conjunction with BBC World Service Trust organised the event moderated by Kamal Ahmed of BBC Bangla Service.
Responding to a query Hafizuddin said it would not be right for the two parties to boycott the upcoming parliamentary election if the two leaders are detained in jail. All including the government has to act accordingly so that none can take advantage and delay the elections, he said.
However, Mahmudur Rahman Manna said the Awami League chief would be victorious if the trial was conducted fairly and she would be released.
He said his party will win in the upcoming elections even if it is held after three months and Hasina is in jail.
"But the release of Sheikh Hasina is a vital issue in our party as enormous emotions are involved with it," he said, adding, "We want Sheikh Hasina released and a date for holding the next election."
Shimul Biswas, also a BNP leader, urged the government to release the two leaders realising the public feeling and sentiment.
Manna demanded the government send Hasina abroad for better treatment amending the jail code. He said the caretaker government would have to shoulder all the responsibilities if anything happened to her.
The former adviser said it is the council of advisers not the jail authorities who should decide in this regard.
Shimul and Shamima observed that the government could give bail to the two party chiefs and send them abroad for treatment.
On trial of war criminals under the present regime, they suggested the caretaker government initiate the process and introduce new ordinance if necessary to enable the next government finish the job.
On price hike of essentials, Hafizuddin blamed the government for being able to control the price hike. Panellists said the government should increase wages and salaries of all employees and officials and introduce rationing system for the extremely poor.
The panellists observed there are flaws in the fertiliser distribution system.