May 30, 2013
Kamran Reza Chowdhury
The BNP lawmakers on Thursday demanded parole for two of its MPs—M K Anwar and Barkatullah Bulu—as the main opposition set to join parliament’s upcoming session starting on June 3.
Six MPs, led by chief whip of the opposition Zainul Abdin Farroque, saw the Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at her office, demanding the release of their colleagues.
“We want to join the House with our two colleagues who have been in the jail. We hope you will arrange their release,” Farroque told reporters handing over a party letter to the speaker.
“The honourable speaker has assured us of talking to the authorities for their release,” he said.
Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, Abul Khayer Bhuiyan, Shammi Akhter, Rehana Akhter Ranu and Nazim Uddin Ahmed saw the speaker.
This is the first meeting of the opposition BNP lawmakers with Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury who was elected Speaker on April 30.
The police on Monday arrested M K Anwar, a BNP’s standing committee member, for making religious provocation. On May 15, the police also detained Barkatullah Bulu, a joint secretary general of the BNP.
The BNP lawmakers last joined parliament on March 20 last year. They must join the House by mid-June or face cancellation of their membership for remaining absent for consecutive 90 sittings of the House.
End/01730-505000
