The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Awami League will go for tougher movement to free detained party president Sheikh Hasina after consultation with the allies in 14-party combine, but hope she will be released before declaring any such programme.

Senior Awami League leaders made the remark at a gathering outside the special jail in the parliament building complex where Hasina has been detained since July 16 last year.

They went there to greet the detained party chief at about 10am on Saturday marking her homecoming on this day in 1981.The party’s central leaders were allowed to go near the makeshift jail. They brought bouquets and packets of sweets for Sheikh Hasina and handed those to the jail officials at about 9:50am. AL presidium member Amir Hossain Amu said they want to see Sheikh Hasina as a free person and they would join dialogue and take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections under her leadership. He, however, said they would decide whether to join the dialogue after consulting with the AL’s allies in the 14-party combine and after getting Hasina’s nod.

“We’ll have to continue our movement besides the legal battle to ensure the release of Sheikh Hasina, as the legal battle is not enough for her (Hasina) release,” said Abdur Razzak, another presidium member of AL.

He also demanded immediate withdrawal of emergency from across the country, cancellation of all undemocratic conditions imposed on indoor politics as well as early announcement of election schedule and sending Sheikh Hasina abroad for treatment after her release. Terming all the allegations brought against Sheikh Hasina as false and baseless, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury said conspiracy was being hatched to convict Sheikh Hasina by such “fabricated” case. “But this is not acceptable to the people… Sheikh Hasina should be freed immediately for the greater interest of the nation.” Hundreds of AL leaders and activists, who came with bouquets and wreaths, gathered in front of the western gate of the parliament complex near Asad Gate. They handed over the bouquets and wreaths to the special jail authorities.

AL presidium members Tofail Ahmed and Suranjit Sengupta were also among the group.

Vehicular movement on the roads nearby the parliament complex was stopped from 9am-11 am.