The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Acting Awami League president Zillur Rahman has demanded the release of party chief Sheikh Hasina by December.

He also demanded lifting of the state of emergency as the government claims that a normal situation is prevailing in the country.

Zillur put forward the demand while addressing a meeting commemorating the death of former state minister for Post and Telecommunications and Dinajpur district AL president Abdur Rouf Chowdhury at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium.

If Sheikh Hasina is released, he said, she could stand by the cyclone victims and serve the distressed humanity.

"I would strongly urge the government to lift the state of emergency where it is not needed," Zillur said.

He also recalled the contributions of late Chowdhury to all democratic movements in the country.

Former Speaker Advocate Abdul Hamid, party leaders Dr Hasan Mahmud and Adv Nurul Islam Sujan, among others, addressed the meeting, presided over by former Whip Mizanur Rahman Manu.

Advocate Hamid said they supported the anti-graft drive of the caretaker government but now it appears that the government is facing

criticism for some of its actions. "I would request the government

not to do any thing that might cause criticisms," he said.