Hefajat-e Islam on Saturday rejected the prime minister’s call for withdrawing its May 5 Dhaka siege programme, saying that she failed to give any guideline regarding its 13-point demand.
“In her speech, there was an effort to confuse the nation through contradictory and wrong interpretations (of the demands),” said Mufti Fayzullah, joint secretary general of Hefajat-e Islam.
“That’s why, we have decided to continue with the May 5 Dhaka blockade programme,” he said.
He was reading out a written statement while addressing a press briefing at Lalbagh Madrasa in the capital.
Any activities related to the rescue operation at the collapsed Savar building, Rana Plaza, will remain out of the purview of Hefajat programme, said Mufti Fayzullah.
The organisation demanded compensation for those who laid their lives during the ongoing Hefajat-e Islam movement for the fulfillment of its 13-point demands and better treatment for the injured.
It also demanded release of the organisation’s members arrested during the movement.
Party secretary Junaid Babunagari, who was also present at the briefing, said they sought permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police for holding a rally in front of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque for 3:00pm Sunday.
The Hefajat had announced the siege programme at its rally at the capital’s Motijheel on April 6 to press home its 13-point demand, which included punishment to bloggers for “defaming” Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The prime minister on Friday called on the Hefajat leaders to withdraw their programme considering the ongoing rescue operation at the Rana Plaza collapse site at Savar.
According the programme, Hefajat will lay siege to all seven entry points into the capital Sunday to cut the city off the rest of the country.
The leaders are expected the presence of around one lakh Hefajat supporters at each entry point — Gabtoli, Tongi, Postagola Bridge , Babubazar Bridge, Kanchpur and Demra bridge, Mawa and Abdullahpur.
Source: The Daily Star