BNP accuses govt of obstructing opposition

BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubul Rahman yesterday accused the government of obstructing the opposition's democratic rights to hold rallies and meetings.

"Now we have to hold indoor programmes. Our rights to hold rallies, meetings, and other constitutional and democratic rights are seriously being hampered. Even today, our many leaders and activists were not allowed to join this programme here," he told a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

The BNP leader said all the gates of the Press Club were kept under lock and key over the programme. "Our international affairs secretary Najzmuddin Alam who had invited me to attend the programme was not allowed to enter the venue. "It can't be a democratic practice."

He called upon the nationalist forces to get united to get rid of the current condition and restore people's democratic and constitutional rights.

Dhaka district unit Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal arranged the protest rally at the Jatiya Press Club auditorium demanding the release of district unit BNP general secretary Amanullah Aman.

Police also detained 7-8 JDC men from in front of the press club over the programme.

Mahbub said the country is now going through a serious democratic crisis. "We'd fought the Liberation War for democracy and freed the country. But, it's unfortunate that we don't have democracy now. It's an ominous sign for the

country."