Politics

Debar anti-liberation force’s return to power: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the nation to debar anti-liberation forces and perpetrators of crimes against humanity from returning to power, as she addressed a public rally coinciding with Bangbandhu's historic 7th March speech anniversary.

"Those people who have faith in War of Liberation and spirit of independence and development should remain united (also) against those who ate up the public money and orphans' fund and killed people," she told the rally at Suhrawardy Udyan, the scene of Bangabandhu's 7th March address, BSS reported.

The premier added: "Those who committed crimes against humanity, murders and looted public property and sanctity of the mothers and sisters should not come to power again."

Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling Awami League president, urged all to recall her party's stance for humanity on the other hand, saying "we work for humanity".

She urged the party leaders and workers to reach out the people in every village and neighbourhoods to explain the development projects which were already implemented as well as those await implementation.

"Awami League is working for welfare of the people of each and every class --- peasants, labourers, blacksmiths, potters, fishermen, dalits, harijon and transgender and every downtrodden people," she said.

The government, the premier said, created scopes for people of every social and professional backgrounds, age groups, women and service holders so they could lead a decent life.

The premier said continuation of the current development pace was crucial for Bangladesh's graduation to a middle-incoming country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.

Deputy Leader of the Jatiya Sangsad and Awami League presidium member Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, party's Advisory Council members Amir Hossain Amu and Tofail Ahmed, presidium members Matiya Chowdhury, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Mohammad Nasim, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Faruk Khan, Joint Secretary Jahangir Kabir Nanak, organizing secretary Khaled Mahmud Chowdhury, central committee member Mirza Azam and Mayor of Dhaka South Sayeed Khokan, among others, addressed the meeting.

AL general secretary Obaidul Kader gave the welcome address while renowned poet Nirmalendu Goon recited his poem "swadhinata shandhati kibhabe amader holo". Publicity Secretary of the party Dr Hasan Mahmud conducted the meeting.

The celebration of the day came this year with an extra significance with UNESCO recognition of Bangabandhu's 7th March 1971 address as a Memory of World Heritage.

The premier said the significance of March 7 would always remain unfading in the life of the people of Bangladesh as it featured with the call for their economic emancipation alongside political freedom.

"Bangabandhu gave us the political freedom and was assassinated as he started his expedition for economic development. So, it's our responsibility to fulfill his dream," she said.