AL seeks adequate security measures
Staff Correspondent
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, now on her election campaign at the south-western districts, addressed at least five election rallies at Chitalmari, Mollarhat, Fakirhat, Battolli and Bagerhat on Thursday seeking vote for ‘boat’.
The former Prime Minister, in her public meetings, pledged to build a secular Bangladesh for people of all religions if the AL-led grand alliance is voted to power. Urging to build strong resistance against militants and bomb-attackers, Hasina said the whole country would plunge into a deep disaster if the enemies of Islam (partroniser of militancy) returned to power.
The AL Chief’s three-day election tour was extended for one more day. She is likely to come back to Dhaka tonight (Friday). Hasina would deliver speeches at least a dozen of street rallies and public meetings today on her way to the capital via-Jessore, Magura Narail and Arichaghat.
Meanwhile, the Co-Chairman of AL Election Steering Committee HT Imam, at a press conference, urged the government to take special measure about the ‘identified culprits’ who earlier went into hiding soon after the promulgation of the Emergency Rule across the country.
“AL hailed lifting of the EPR as it was the AL’s demand since June 2007. Simultaneously we are afraid of terrorists, looters and black-money holders as they are appearing in front of the people at present under the shelter of the leaders of the BNP-led alliance,” he continued, “Such evil forces might be a threat to holding General Election in a peaceful manner.”
The former Cabinet Secretary demanded of the Government and Election Commission to take necessary step in this connection so that people can cast their votes without any fear and hesitation on December 29.
Yesterday afternoon, a four-member team of AL Election Steering Committee lodged a written complaint with the EC against BNP-led four-party alliance for violating Electoral Code of Conduct.
Replying to a query, HT Imam said, the EC, however, allowed the party chiefs to continue mass conduct and address rallies till midnight while restriction would be inplace for other party leaders.
Agencies add: Sheikh Hasina Thursday said the country is passing through a difficult time when limited-income people are hit hard by escalating price hike, unemployment and illiteracy.
“Terrorism and corruption have plagued the nation. BNP-Jamaat alliance again nominated looters and the corrupt to bring further doom for the people,”
She said if Awami League goes to power, a poverty-free Bangladesh would be established giving stress on reduction of prices of essentials, production of food and electricity, subsidy on agricultural inputs, construction of infrastructure and establishment of new schools and colleges with cut-down price of computers.
Hasina, who is also contesting the December 29 polls from Bagrehat-1 comprising Chitalmari, Mollarhat and Fakirhat, flashed back on how people, particularly minority community, were ‘repressed’ by the earstwhile regime immediately after the 2001 election.
“Even mother and daughter were raped together; youths were killed and shrimp farms looted,” the former premier said in the most scathing attack on her political foes after the resumption of political process in the country after the past crisis and resultant state of emergency.
She said the country has become a land of horrors. People want to get rid of the corrupt and terrors, they want the rule of honest people to improve their economic condition.
Referring to the immediate-past BNP-led alliance rule, the Awami League president said Bangladesh gained autarky in food during her rule from 1996 to 2001 when prices of essentials were within the reach of common people. Rice sold at Tk 9-10 and soybean at Tk 28, and many development works took place.
She said if voted to power, her government would supply electricity to each village and ensure arsenic-free pure water, free education up to degree level, new schools for children of the poor people and modernize madrasa education.
Besides, Hasina said 18,000 community clinics would be set up at union level and free treatment for the poor would be ensured. Employment Bank activities will be expanded so unemployed youth canget loan to start income-generating projects.
The former Premier also pledged soft-term loan for shrimp cultivators and incentives for boosting prawn export. She said Mongla seaport would be reactivated, a deep-sea port constructed and communications network in the area developed.
“If AL comes to power it will double the allowances for old-age people, widows and freedom fighters. Give us the scope to serve the country. We will bring the prices of essentials down to people’s reach.,” she said.
Hasina’s niece, the daughter of Sheikh Rehana, Ajmin Siddiqui Ruponti and nephew, son of Sheikh Helal, Sheikh Tonmoy also spoke at the rally.
She headed for Mollar Hat after concluding the meeting. On her way to Chitolmari she visited the house of local Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Wali Chowdhury, who died in a road accident recently, to console the bereaved family.
The Awami League president offered fateha at Khan Jahan Ali mazar. At a rally at Khan Jahan College ground, she introduced Awami League candidates Adv Mir Showkat Ali Badsha from Bagerhat-2, Habibun Nahar Talukdar from Bagerhat-3 and Dr Mozammel Hossain from Bagerhat-4.
Courtesy: thebangladeshtoday.com
