The imprisonment day of Awami League (AL) President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is being observed in the country in a befitting manner on Saturday.
Sheikh Hasina was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi in the city on July 16, 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government, which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007.
AL President Sheikh Hasina was released from the special sub-jail set up on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) building on June 11 in 2008 after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.
As she fell sick during her captivity, demands were raised then from different quarters including the Awami League and its associate bodies to send her abroad for better medical treatment after releasing her from the jail.
Conceding to the people's spontaneous and repeated demands and pressure from different quarters, the caretaker government was compelled to release Sheikh Hasina from the jail.
At that time, the Dhaka City unit of AL collected signatures of 25 lakh people and submitted those to the then caretaker government, demanding Sheikh Hasina's release.
Paying heed to this demand, the caretaker government compelled to release Sheikh Hasina from jail.
Through the release of Sheikh Hasina, the democratic rights of the people were restored and democracy and development flourished simultaneously.
AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader in a statement on Friday called upon the countrymen to pray to Almighty Allah for healthy and long life of Sheikh Hasina, maintaining the health protocols.
He simultaneously urged all to extend cooperation to the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being imbued with the spirit of Liberation War and democratic values by lighting up the flame of patriotism in the minds of Bangalees and creating a shield to overcome the crisis.
Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies observe the day as the "Imprisonment Day of Sheikh Hasina". They have taken various programmes, including discussions, milad and doa mahfils marking the day.
To mark the day, Dhaka North and South City units of AL will organize a discussion at 10:30 am at the party's central office at Bangabandhu Avenue today.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader will attend the discussion as the chief guest with Dhaka South City unit of AL President Abu Ahmed Mannafi in the chair.