Dhaka, Nov 8 (bdnews24.com)—Awami League General Secretary Ashraful Islam on Thursday advised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to change her position and side with the force that upholds the ideals for which the nation fought the Independence War.
He made the call at a protest rally organised at South Plaza of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, where he also announced that the ruling party will continue to occupy streets until the alleged war criminals are tried.
“You (Khaleda Zia) have to change your position if you claim to be the wife of a freedom fighter. Leave the company of (Jamaat-e-Islami) and be on the side of pro-Liberation War force.”
Khaleda’s late husband, President Ziaur Rahman, was a sector commander in the nation’s war for freedom from Pakistan.
“You said in India that you won’t patronise militant organisations, but you are yet to pledge to the people of Bengal that you won’t nurture criminals,” he added.
Syed Ashraf blamed the opposition leader for sheltering those who attacked the police in guerrilla style over the last few days to press for release of their leaders standing trial on war crimes charges.
“No man of conscience can take their (Jamaat-e-Ilsami) side.”
He urged all irrespective of faiths and opinion to wage the last fight against Jamaat-e-Islami as the war crimes trial is nearing end.
“Jamaat has gone mad to deal the last blow. But their time is up. We have to stay united until verdicts against war criminals are executed.”
“Our election pledge was to try war criminals. The people of the country including the youth voted us to power for this. It is the demand of the people. It is not a political demand.”
Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir said the police now had orders not to spare any violent activist of Jamaat and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir.
The people are legally bound to help arrest activists of Jamaat when they are involved in violent activities.
A procession protesting the recent violence by Jamaat activists was also taken out after the rally.
Source: Bd News24