The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League leaders Monday urged the caretaker government to lift the state of emergency from across the country as soon as possible.

"Now all the parties are demanding that the caretaker government lift the countrywide state of emergency. We also urge the government to withdraw the emergency as soon as possible," AL presidium member Abdur Razzak told reporters.

Razzak was addressing a press conference following the 5th meeting of AL Relief Committee held at the party's Dhanmondi office in the morning.

AL presidium members Suranjit Sengupta, Amir Hossain Amu and acting general secretary Syed Asharful Islam, among others, were present at the press conference.

Razzak presented information and data about the money, foods, clothes collected from across the country and abroad, and donated by the AL leaders and activists.

AL launched relief works after Cyclone Sidr hit the country's 10 southwestern districts on November 15.

"As of January 13, a total of Tk 1,38,5,370 has been deposited to the AL relief fund. Of the total, Tk 98,50,000 has been distributed among the Sidr-affected people in the southwestern districts. Now we have Tk 39,31,850 in bank account," Razzak said.

He said the amount has been spent for those seriously affected by Sidr.

AL is going to launch another project tomorrow (Tuesday) on agriculture rehabilitation by providing seeds of high quality rice, including hybrid paddy, among the Sidr-hit farmers, Razzak said.

"Part of the money we have in hand will be spent on agriculture rehabilitation. And we're also thinking how we'll spend the rest of it. We've already thought about helping people to rebuild their houses and providing them with rickshaws and boats," he said.

Razzak also said they are expecting donation of more than Tk 50 lakh by January 19 when they will announce another project for the Sidr-affected regions.

Asked what will they do for the Monga-affected northern districts, he said they have a separate plan to help the monga-hit people.