Violence by Jamaat-Shibir
AL, associated bodies plan to resist
The ruling Awami League (AL) and its associated and like-minded bodies decided to take to the streets across the country to resist, what the party leaders said, planned violence by Jamaat-Shibir to hinder the war crimes trial.
The decision came in the backdrop of vandalism by Jamaat-e-Islami and pro-Jamaat student organisation Islami Chhatra Shibir and their clashes with police on Monday and Tuesday demanding release of their top leaders arrested over war crimes charges.
AL conveyed its decision at a meeting in AL President Sheikh Hasina's political office in the capital's Dhanmondi on Tuesday.
“Unless the war crimes trial is held and the subversive acts by the reactionary Jamaat-Shibir forces are not stopped and their conspiracies rooted out, Awami League and all pro-liberation forces will remain on the streets to resist the Jamaat-Shibir,” said AL Deputy Office Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das.
He said the Jamaat-Shibir men were out to foil the war crimes trial with support from their key-ally BNP.
As per plans, the AL and Jubo League would organise protest rallies in the capital today and at district and upazila units tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. Awami Swechchasebak League and other organisations will also hold rallies at districts and upazilas.
Bangladesh Awami Jubo League Chairman Omar Faroque Chowdhury said, “Jubo League strongly warns that any act by Jamaat-Shibir to hinder the national demand of war crimes trial will be contained strictly.”
He demanded that the law enforcement agencies arrest the Jamaat-Shibir men responsible for the violence so that exemplary punishment could be handed down to them.
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) President HM Badiuzzaman Shohag said the student body would stage demonstrations at educational institutions and upazila units across the country today to protest against the violence.
BCL also held a protest rally on Bangabandhu Avenue yesterday.
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