Hasina blames PM for deaths in anticrime drive

Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina yesterday blamed Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for the custodial deaths during army-led anti-crime drive across the country.

While exchanging views with a socio-cultural organisation, Shadana Sangsad, at Awami League's (AL) Dhanmondi office in the city, Hasina said, Khaleda had ordered the army out for the 'Operation Clean Heart' and that now she could not get away with the liabilities of custodial deaths.

On the recent development of Bangladesh's inclusion into the US-prepared list of 'terror-risk' countries, the AL president said, because of human rights violations and opposition repression, the country's image has been tarnished before the international community.

Terming the latest US step as disgraceful for the people of Bangladesh, Hasina expressed her belief that by allowing the ruling alliance to remain in power, people would never be able to change their lot and get back lost glory.

AL leaders Tofail Ahmed, Matia Chowdhury, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Obaidul Kader, Abdul Latif Siddiqui and BM Mozammel Haq were present when the Shadana Sangsad delegation led by Dr Hossain Mansur and Delwar Hossain Bhuiyan met the opposition leader.