Senior civic leaders yesterday stressed the need to bring to an end the political deadlock that led to a month of violence leaving more than 70 people dead.
Nagorik Samaj, a civil society group led by a former chief election commissioner, said both a halt to street-power violence and the start of peace-talks, which they urged government to initiate, were needed.
“We will not ourselves take the initiative for a dialogue. If needed, we will extend our all-out support to make the initiative successful. Let us see what we can do once the dialogue is organised,” former chief election commissioner and Nagorik Samaj Convener ATM Shamsul Huda told journalists at a press conference at the National Press Club.
He, however, said the president of the republic could initiate the move to bring the political parties to the table.
Huda earlier wrote to President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chief Khaleda Zia, saying a cessation of violence and the initiation of talks to resolve the impasse could move forward simultaneously.
Responding to recent comments made by ruling party leaders about the committee’s efforts, Huda said: “We welcome criticisms from ministers and ruling party leaders as they take us into account.”
Huda is the convener of the 13-member Nagorik Samaj, a platform of senior civic leaders.
The other members are – former caretaker government advisors Hafizuddin Khan, ASM Shahjahan, Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Akbar Ali Khan, CM Shafi Sami and Rasheda K Chowdhury, Rokia Afzal Rahman, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, eminent jurist Dr Shahdeen Malik, former BGMEA president Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, researcher Dr Ahsan H Mansur, and Shujan chief Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar.
Members joined the committee of their own accord; more may soon join its ranks, sources said.
On Saturday, the citizen’s forum held round-table talks at which Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain and Nagorik Oikyo convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna were present.
Kamal and Manna were later dropped from the committee amid criticism from ruling party leaders.
Huda said the mounting death toll resulting from the transport blockade and general strikes called by the BNP-led 20-party alliance could not be termed political activity.
“This should be stopped immediately. We are all professionals. There is no political affiliation in our initiative. From a moral standpoint we are saying that criminal activities should be stopped and an initiative to hold talks should be taken.”
Huda read out a copy of the letter the group sent to the president, prime minister and BNP chairperson.
He said: “Although as per our constitution, the president does not have that power, as guardian of the state he can play a moral role to end the crisis. We hope the president takes the initiative and holds talks with political parties and professionals.”
