The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Awami League Acting President Zillur Rahman yesterday said that the High Court verdict, which acquitted the main accused of the Dhaka Central Jail assassination case, has disappointed the whole nation.

Zillur made this comments while expressing his reaction over the verdict at his Gulshan residence.

"The verdict will be considered as a shocking example in the nation. We want a society where equal justice will be established and no one will be deprived. But the verdict has frustrated us very much," he added.

Zillur said that it was unfortunate for the nation that country's four great leaders were assassinated brutally through bayonet charge inside the jail, but the killers are yet to be punished.

He said the people of Bangladesh would definitely reject the HC verdict in the jail killing case, as it was not declared neutrally. Zillur apprehended that with the HC verdict would encourage terrorists and professional killers to continue their activities throughout the country.

While asked whether the HC verdict will influence the Bangabandhu murder case, Zillur said he does not think so although the defenders are common.

Earlier, at a launching ceremony of a compiled book on life and politics of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at his house, Zillur asked the Election Commission to simplify the conditions for registration of political parties.

He observed that many political parties would not be able to complete registration on account of some hard conditions, which are difficult to be fulfilled.

Zillur demanded complete lifting of the state of emergency ahead of the parliamentary polls and unconditional release of AL chief Sheikh Hasina, now staying in USA for treatment.

He informed that Sheikh Hasina would return home in September.

Zillur expressed party's firm stance for not participating in the national election under the state of emergency and without Sheikh Hasina.

About the resignation of the party men, who were elected mayor in the city corporations and pourashava polls, Zillur said, "I personally think that they should resign from the party, as they participated in the polls being agreed with the conditions imposed by the EC. So if they do not resign from the party, their mayorship will be automatically cancelled.