Left-leaning orgs protest Hillary's visit

Staff Correspondent

Agitators shout anti-US slogans during a procession brought out by left-leaning activists in the capital yesterday in protest of the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who arrives in Dhaka today.Photo: STAR

Protesting the arrival of US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, several left-leaning political organisations yesterday urged the masses to strengthen the ongoing movement against “the imperialistic aggression of United States”. Leaders of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and its youth front Bangladesh Jubo Union, Gonosanghati Andolon and Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal made the call during an agitation programme before Jatiya Press Club in the capital. CPB President Manjurul Ahsan Khan said Hillary's visit to Bangladesh is part of the US's plan to establish supremacy over the South Asian countries. US intervention in Bangladesh's internal affairs is clearly understandable and this is a threat to the country's independence and sovereignty, he said. Terming Hillary's presence as a “negative signal”, Manjurul urged the masses to generate mass protests against the visit and “US imperialism”. Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri, a left-leaning student organisation, will burn Hillary's effigy today as part of their demonstration programme protesting the visit. As part of her three-nation tour of Bangladesh, India and China, Hillary is expected to arrive in Dhaka today and hold meetings with government high-ups, opposition leaders and civil society representatives.