The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Acting President of Bangladesh Awami League Zillur Rahman yesterday demanded the release of the detained party chief and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to allow her to join post Cyclone relief programme.

He said, "To face the disastrous situation after the cyclone Sidr the release of Sheikh Hasina is a must," he said, "In the flood of 98 the country could face the devastation of the flood under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina efficiently."

He said this while inaugurating education assistance programme for the students of the Sidr affected areas by Bangladesh Chhatra League, student front of Awami League, at the Party's President's Office at Dhanmondi.

AL Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, Acting Secretary General Syed Ashraful, Organising Secretary Abdul Mannan, Science and

Technology Secretary Yafes Ahmed, Women Affairs Secretary Dr Dipu Moni and BM Mozammel, among others were present at the function presided over by President of BCL Mahmud Hasan Ripon.

Matia Chowdhury accused the government that it had failed to reach relief items to all affected areas even after three weeks. She said the Government lacks efficiency for that they could not reach all the affected areas even after three weeks."

She termed the post-cyclone situation as national crisis and said, "National crisis can be faced by national unity."

The BCL has taken initiative to reach educational kits including pens and papers among 20,000 students in the Sidr-affected areas.