Home boss demands Khaleda apologise to the nation

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia must apologise to the nation for "lying" about the number of martyrs during the Liberation War in 1971. 

He made the remark while addressing as the chief guest a rally organised by local Awami League at Tahirpur upazila in Moulvibazar.

On December 21 last year, Khaleda said, "There are controversies over exactly how many freedom fighters were killed in the Liberation War. There are also many books and documents on the controversies."

Her comments drew widespread flak from pro-liberation forces in the country.

Later, Momtajuddin Ahmed Mehedi, former secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association, sent a legal notice to Khaleda Zia, asking to apologise to the nation and requested to withdraw her statement within seven days.

As she did not, he filed a sedition case with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's court, appealing to it to issue an arrest warrant for Khaleda.

Taking cognisance of the charge, the court asked Khaleda to appear before it on March 3.

Meanwhile, in the AL rally, the home minister said there are many conspiracies against the country and Sheikh Hasina, the party men must be aware of these.

"There is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina for the development of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina's alternative is Sheikh Hasina." Kamal added.

Badaghat Union AL President Abu Bakar chaired the rally, while state minister for finance and planning M Abdul Mannan, lawmaker Muhibur Rahman, among others, spoke.