BNP stage walkout protesting Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill

Opposition BNP on Tuesday staged a brief walkout from Parliament protesting the Anti-terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013, calling it a black law.

Led by senior BNP lawmaker Barrister Moudud, the opposition walked out of the House around 5:32 pm.

Just before passage of the Bill, Moudud took the floor with permission from the Speaker and said that the bill, which is soon going to be passed in the House, has been “formulated not to curb terrorism, but to subdue the opposition.”

“This will be identified as a black law. It’s worse than the Special Powers Act passed by the Awami League in 1974,” he said.

Moudud said the law would be abused to oppress the opposition as the law enforcers are given all the necessary power to subdue the opposition. “We think this bill should not be passed by the House. As the Home Minister proposed passing the bill, we’re staging walk out in protest.”

In reply, Home Minister Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir told the House that the law will not be applied against any gentleman or lady.

Source: UNB Connect