Nagorik Samaj pushes for talks

Nagorik Samaj, a platform of civil society members, yesterday sent three separate letters to the president, prime minister and the BNP chairperson, requesting them to take good initiative for holding a national dialogue to resolve the ongoing political crisis.

The letters were signed by former chief election commissioner ATM Shamsul Huda on behalf of Nagorik Samaj.

The letters mentioned the outcome of a views-exchange meeting of people from different professions held at Engineers' Institute on February 7. The meeting had adopted a resolution on holding "national dialogue to resolve national crisis".

Proposals of the meeting were also sent separately along with the letters.

"I humbly request you as the guardian of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to play a special role in taking a good initiative for holding dialogue in light of the proposals," reads the letter sent to the president.

The Nagorik Samaj, in the letters, also requested the prime minister and BNP chairperson to take initiative for holding a dialogue considering the proposals.

Talking to BBC Bangla Service, PM's Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam last night said they were not giving importance to this initiative at this moment as, what he said, the roles of the persons, except for ATM Shamsul Huda, involved in this process are questionable.

"You cannot sit for dialogue with those who are carrying out attacks, killing innocent people and destroying the country's economy," he said.

BNP standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said he thought his party would take the initiative of the Nagorik Samaj positively.