The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

BNP led four-party alliance yesterday demanded early release of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Jamaat Ameer Maulana Motiur Rahman Nizami and two sons of Begum Zia-Tarique Rahman and Arafat Rahman.

The demand was made at a meeting of the alliance held at the NAM Flat residence of Khondoker Delwar Hossain, secretary general of BNP.

The meeting decided to observe Prisoners-Free Day (Bondi Mukti Dibosh) on June 17 to press home demand for the release of all leaders of the alliance and Demand Day (Dabi Dibosh) on June 19 demanding parliamentary election before local body polls.

Following the meeting, Khondoker Delwar told reporters that the alliance leaders and front organisations have been asked to make the June 17 and 19 programmes a success.

Asked if the government offer will be accepted to secure release of Khaleda and her two sons through legal process he parried the answer and hastened to add, "We want her early release."

He said people want to know how Hasina was released.

He questioned the way Hasina was exempted from personal appearance from the court in so many cases against her in haste by holding the court in the evening.

"We want equal treatment for others. People expect neutrality of the government," he said.

Delwar urged the government to set free Khaleda and send her two sons abroad for treatment as was done in case with Hasina. He said that Tarique and Koko were subjected to inhuman torture in custody could be imagined by seeing them limping in the court.

Replying to a question he said they would go for dialogue with the government with alliance leaders including Khaleda and Nizami after they are set free.

The BNP leader urged the government to maintain neutrality and not act under the guidance from unseen forces.

He called for withdrawal of emergency by June 30 and wave restrictions on indoor politics.

Dr RA Ghani, Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiqi and Nazrul Islam Khan of BNP, Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed and Abdul Kader Mollah of Jamaat, Abdul Latif Nezami and Mufti Mohammad Waqqas of IOJ, Andalib Rahman Partha of BJP, Maulana Mohammad Ishaq and Prof Ahmed Abdul Kader of Khelafat Majlish attended the meeting.