Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been carrying on with her so-called movement for democracy with hopes that someone from “Uttarpara” would put her in power.
“The way the Pakistani occupation forces had unleashed oppression and murders on the Bangladeshi people in 1971, this is the same way Khaleda’s forces are now inflicting torture. The people will have to give a fitting reply to this,” the PM said.
She also said: “We restored democracy in the country, but now she [Khaleda] claims that she is on a movement for democracy.”
The prime minister, also the ruling Awami League chief, was addressing a discussion marking International Mother Language Day at Krishibid Institution Bhaban in the city’s Khamarbari area yesterday afternoon.
Taking a swipe at civil society members, she said they had perhaps forgotten that if anyone grabs power illegally and unconstitutionally, then the consequences would be capital punishment.
“I do not believe anyone would dare to step into this fire again … I do not know who is helping her indulge in a daydream.”
Hasina said even Dr Kamal Hossain, who she said was her “uncle,” and Mahmudur Rahman Manna did not suggest Khaleda Zia withdraw the hartal and blockade during the ongoing SSC examinations, although they often talk about high principles.
“Those who burned the people of Bangladesh to death will surely be punished one day,” the prime minister said.
She alleged that all activities of the BNP-Jamaat alliance are done to save Khaleda from trial and to hamper the war crimes trial. Hasina said the nation will be freed from the stigma through the execution of all the verdicts in the war crimes trials.
The PM said people are not observing the hartal and blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance. ”She has no shame,” Hasina said adding that Khaleda is trying to carry on with her movement by creating panic.
Hasina also alleged that her arch rival, Khaleda Zia, has been acting to serve the interests of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the state intelligence agency of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in another programme in the capital, the PM said the current activities of the BNP are nothing but futile exercises but these disturbances can tarnish the country’s image abroad.
She was addressing officials at the Secretariat office of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs yesterday.
Urging the judiciary officers to work towards reducing case backlogs and curbing procrastination in trials, she said the legal system should be simplified to ensure easy access for the public.
“However, we should be careful about the real criminals, so that they cannot come out using loopholes in the laws,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government has a plan to carry out fresh recruitment in the judiciary, and develop the existing judicial training centre.
