Say no to hartal

Hasan Mahmud urges all

21 June 2010, 18:00 PM

Bss, Dhaka

State Minister for Environment and Forest Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said, “We want to establish a new culture of politics in the country and that is why all should say no to hartal” He said the main opposition BNP has started confrontational politics by declaring a hartal at a time when the country is marching forward towards attaining sustainable democracy. He urged the Awami League leaders and workers to resist the June 27 hartal called by BNP at any cost. He said the main responsibility of the government is to protect the lives and property of the people by removing hindrances on way to progress of the country. Dr Mahmud was speaking at a meeting after launching a photographic exhibition and a website: www.nostrike.org at Jatiya Press Club in the city. The exhibition displayed anti-hartal photographs. Paribartan Foundation, an association of youths, organised the exhibition titled 'Let us say no to hartal'. Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Children and Women Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki spoke at the function as the special guest. Director of Janata Bank Balram Poddar, Executive Director of the Foundation Delwar Hossain Faruk and Managing Editor of the daily Bangladesh Protidin Noyeem Nizam also spoke at the function. Hasan Mahmud said the Awami League believes in democracy and the just concluded Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) election is a bright example in this regard. Meher Afroz said the main opposition BNP does not join the Jatiya Sangsad as it wants to create anarchy by resorting to hartal. Terming the hartal called by opposition BNP illogical, she said the shutdown might hinder the country's progress and economic growth.