From a human chain that stretched from one end of the capital to the other, the Awami League-led 14-party alliance yesterday said no dialogue could take place with the BNP-led cartel unless the ongoing violence ends.
This human chain in the capital was part of a bigger countrywide human chain programme of the ruling alliance staged to protest the violence.
The programme coincided with another protest programme of the business community who came out on the streets at every district town, calling for an end to the chaos.
“Khaleda Zia is the leader of terrorists and militants. She is the mastermind who leads a movement that is not democratic; it only burns innocent people,” said Health Minister and 14-party spokesperson Mohammad Nasim while speaking at the human chain yesterday.
Nasim also said: “No national election will beheld before 2019. The next parliamentary election will be held under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as per the constitution. There is no scope of going beyond the scope of the constitution.”
Awami League Advisory Committee member Suranjit Sengupta said: “It is not possible only for the law enforcement agencies to tackle the BNP-Jamaat terrorism. Rather, everyone should come forward in resisting the acts of sabotage.”
While speaking at the chain, Information Minister and JaSaD President Hasanul Haque Inu said: “No dialogue can take place between humans and monsters. It is impossible to arrange talks with a leader who continues to give order for burning innocent people.”
He said: “The intellectuals have been drumming for a dialogue. We call upon them to first ask the terrorists to stop killing people alive. Then there can be talks on every issue.”
The minister also said: “The government’s first duty is to stop the acts of sabotage by BNP and Jamaat. Initiating a dialogue comes next.”
Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister and Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon said: “BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has adopted a strategy of burning the soil just like what the Pakistanis did in 1971. She will have to given an answer for getting all those people killed by the terrorists from her alliance.”
The human chain was formed for an hour all over the country from 3pm to 4pm yesterday.
In the capital, it stretched from Gabtoli to Jatrabari and touched some of the important intersections of the city.
