BNP declaring programmes like Al-Qaeda: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud has said BNP is declaring programmes from secret caves similar to Al-Qaeda and ISIS (Islamic State).

In fact, BNP’s main aim is to carry out arson attacks on public transports and properties in the name of a blockade, he said while addressing a peace rally organized by AL Dhaka south city unit in the city’s Bangabandhu Avenue.

AL Presidium Member Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, AL South city unit president Abu Ahmed Mannafi and general secretary Humayun Kabir, among others, addressed the rally.

Dr Hasan said BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is declaring programmes from a secret cave. Many people demanded the arrest of Rizvi and action against the arsonists.

He said, drives against arson terrorists and miscreants will continue as long as they carry out such attacks.

He said some human rights organizations and intellectuals of the country have made statements to release Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. But they didn’t make any statement against the culprits responsible for arson attacks, killing police, assaulting women, attacking the residence of the Chief Justice, judges complex and hospital, he said.

Over the ongoing garment workers’ movement, Dr Hasan said ill efforts are going on to create instability in the garment sector as they (BNP) have failed to do anything on October 28.

“I would like to urge the garment workers not to carry out vandalism in their own organization,” he said.

The information minister said most of the leaders of workers’ organizations are not labourers and they have their own flats and transport. Those leaders along with BNP-Jamaat are instigating the movements, he said.

He said the salary of garment workers was Taka 800 per month during Begum Khaleda Zia’s regime. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made their salary double and later she made the salary Taka 8000, he added.

And now, she has fixed the salary of Tk 12,500 and a five per cent increment in every year. The government is also taking steps to provide family cards for them as they can buy essentials at low prices, said Hasan Mahmud.

He urged the real garment workers to identify the attackers and hand them over to the police.

/KN/