‘Why protect money-launderers?’
Different political parties yesterday came down heavily on the government for the recent record hike of fuel prices. They also raised the question as to why the government does not want to reveal the names of those who laundered money to the Swiss Bank.
Addressing a programme in the capital, Jatiya Party chairman and opposition leader GM Quader said the government has completely failed in running the country.
"Increasing the price of oil has increased the suffering of people, which the government could have avoided by adjusting the profit earned from fuel," said GM Quader at the programme at the JP chairman's office in the capital's Banani.
Quader demanded that the government withdraw the "anti-people" decision immediately.
The JP chairman also said last year around Tk 4 lakh crore was deposited to Swiss Bank from Bangladesh, which has been smuggled to America, Canada, Thailand, Singapore and other countries.
He also mentioned that the Swiss Bank is ready to give information to the government if the latter wants to know about the depositors.
"But the government is not asking for the information. Because those who were involved are running the country with them," he also said.
Meanwhile, "Gonotantro Mancha" -- a newly floated alliance comprising seven political parties -- yesterday at a rally in front of Jatiya Press Club asked why the government does not want to reveal the names of those involved in the Swiss Bank money laundering, strongly criticising the government's stance on money launderers.
Components in the Gonotantro Mancha are Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Nagorik Oikya, Biplobi Workers Party, Ganosamhati Andolon, Gano Odhikar Parishad, Bhasani Anusari Parishad and Rashtra Sangskar Andolan.
While presiding over the rally, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, convenor of Nagorik Oikya, said, "If a country's money is smuggled illegally and that country writes to the Swiss Bank, they will provide information about the smugglers and how much they have smuggled."
"But the government has not asked for the list in the last few years fearing that the names of Awami League leaders will come up," he added.
"The government said they would change the country. But today, it has become a country for thieves and robbers."
He said Gonotantro Mancha aims to build a democratic society.
"We want to build a society where people in poverty can start to live well. We want to make arrangements so that there is a rule of law in the country," he added.
Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon, said the government decides the fate of the people at midnight just like they "rob" votes at midnight.
"This government talks about the spirit of the Liberation War and a country free of communalism, it is running the country against the very spirits of the Liberation War, equality, social justice and human dignity," said Saki.
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