The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League (AL) Presidium member Amir Hossain Amu yesterday urged the government not to validate the Representation of the People Ordinance (RPO) 2008, which the council of advisors approved in principle on July 13 by bringing amendment to RPO of 1972.

Amu made this call while addressing the leaders and activists of Awami Jubo League, a front organisation of AL, which observed token hunger strike to press home a number of demands including release of Awami League president Sheikh Hasina.

Amu further said that the AL leaders and workers were being harassed throughout the country while anti-liberation forces were getting privileges in different sectors.

Warning the Government, he said the people would not tolerate this kind of injustice any more.

He also reiterated the demand of unconditional release of Sheikh Hasina.

AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed called upon the government to hold national election before the upazila election saying, “ We will not accept this if upazila election is held first.”

He also demanded immediate withdrawal of emergency, as no polls is possible under the state of emergency.

On moves to amend the RPO, Tofail said: "You cannot repeal the 1972 RPO, which we enacted through the first parliament of independent Bangladesh. Please stop the process of imposing a new RPO on the people, he said.

He also demanded parliamentary elections in October ahead of the Upazila polls.

The leaders of Awami League also demanded lifting of all the false and fabricated cases against the party men including Jubo League chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanak and General Secretary Mirza Azam.

They also criticised sending of Mirza Azam to the jail after he surrenred before the court.

The strike started at 10:00 am at the AL's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue and ended at 1:00 pm attended by several hundreds of leaders and activists.

Meanwhile the Dhaka City Awami League yesterday held its scheduled extended meeting in Khilgoan thana as a part of month long extending meeting to strengthen its organisational base.

While addressing the party men AL organising secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury said, “ the party must be closely connected with the people of all walks of life, as the masses are the main strength of Awami League.”

He also urged the leader and activists to work together to make the country as Sonar Bangla, which for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamed.

About the candidature for different posts City Corporation, upazila or national election he said, “ We all should support that candidates who will be selected by the AL central body.”

M A Aziz, Acting President and Advocate Kamrul Islam, Acting General Secretary of Dhaka City Awami League, among others, were present while Alam Chowdhury, president of Khilgoan thana Awami League, presided over the programme.