Disappearance, killing started in Ziaur Rahman’s regime: PM

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has said that disappearances and murders started during Ziaur Rahman’s regime.

She said, “Today, they talk about disappearances and murders, Ziaur Rahman created disappearances and murders in this country. Out metropolitan BCL leader Mafiz Babu was picked up, his family has yet not found the body. In this way many of our leaders were killed all over Bangladesh.”

Regarding the demand of BNP leader Khaleda Zia to be sent abroad for treatment, Sheikh Hasina said, “Who sends accused abroad for treatment when? Then no accused will be left in jail. Then they will say send us abroad for treatment. Shall we send everyone abroad?”

The premier said this at a discussion as the chief guest on Monday (August 30).

Dhaka South City AL and Dhaka North City AL jointly organized the discussion in the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), marking the National Mourning Day and 47th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also expressed her firm conviction that Bangladesh will never plunge into Sri Lanka-like situation for its development spree, rather the country will continue to move ahead overcoming all global challenges. 
 
“Remember one thing (my party leaders and activists) that Bangladesh will never be Sri Lanka, can’t be . . .,” she said.
 
The premier, however, said that Bangladesh had to face Sri Lanka-like situation in the regime of BNP, but Awami League (AL) government has pulled the country out of that state.

Sheikh Hasina, also the ruling AL President, said during BNP’s regime in 2001-2006, Bangladesh became champion in corruption for five consecutive times, while the country saw huge price hike of essential commodities, and scarcity of electricity, water and employment. 
 
She also said Bangladesh witnessed militancy, terrorism, grenade attack, August 21 grade attack, grenade attack in 500 places across the country, former finance minister Kibria murder and bomb attack in many places as well. 
 
She added that Bangladesh’s economy came to standstill due to terrorism, militancy and corruption.
 
The prime minister continued that people at that time (BNP’s regime) took to the street, actually they were compelled to come down on the street.
 
She went on saying that, “AL government has rescued the country from that state. So, why will Bangladesh become Sri Lanka today?”
 
With Dhaka South City AL President Freedom Fighter Abu Ahmed Mannafi in the chair, Dhaka North AL General Secretary SM Mannan Kochi moderated the discussion.
 
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, Dhaka North City AL Adviser and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, Dhaka North City AL President Sheikh Bazlur Rahman, Dhaka South City AL General Secretary Humayun Kabir, North AL Vice President Sadek Khan, South AL Vice President Advocate Nurul Amin Ruhul, North AL Vice President Freedom Fighter MA Quader Khan and South City AL Vice President Shaheed Serniyabat, among others, also spoke.