The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) condemned the government for launching a crackdown on the political leaders throughout the country.

Zillur Rahman, Acting President of Awami League, said on Saturday night that the caretaker government was arresting Awami League leaders to foil the party's 6-point movement which, among others, seeks the release of party chief Sheikh Hasina.

Terming the drive " revengeful', he said it reflected the intolerance and autocratic attitude of the government. Such action will only escalate the political crisis in the country, he noted.

Syed Ashraful Islam, Acting General Secretary of Awami League, said, the government

was harassing the leaders and activists of Awami League and its front organisations in a planned way after filing 'false' cases against them. "The political leaders have been detained unjustly," he maintained.

He expressed the apprehension that restoration of democracy would be uncertain if the government continued arresting political leaders and activists.

Awami League Presidium Member Tofail Ahmed Said the decision of his party not to join the dialogue without Sheikh Hasina and wage a tough movement for her release has scared the government. The government was trying to thwart our movement by arresting party leaders and activists, he added.

He further said that the government has lost its credibility and it is trying to make the situation volatile.