The presence of leaders and activists of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, a key political component of BNP-led 18-party alliance, was noticeable during the public meeting at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital Friday afternoon. The leaders and activists of the party took position at all strategic points in and around the meeting place. They were also chanting slogans uninterruptedly demanding immediate unconditional release of their leaders convicted for wartime offences. They were also shouting anti-government slogans terming the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) illegal.
“We won’t accept the ICT verdict against our leaders. We also won’t allow the next general election under a party government oversight,” the activists said.
They took the position in and around the meeting venue, displaying portraits of the party leaders including Ghulam Azam, Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Muzahid, Mohammad Kamaruzzaman and others – all convicted on war crimes charges.
While visiting several spots in and around the meeting place, this reporter saw that a good number of leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami were carrying side bags.
Leaders and activists of the party started swarming at the meeting venue as early as 10:30 am. Front portion of the meeting was also grabbed by Jamaat leaders and activists.
They also grabbed all corners of the meeting place by setting up their own party flag, placards, festoons and banners portraits of their leaders now behind bars on war crimes charges.
Soon after the announcement of the nationwide three-day non-stop general strike from October 27, the Jamaat leaders and activists brought out several processions which marched Shahbagh and Matshya Bhaban crossing.
-With The Independent input
