The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Former energy adviser Engineer Mahmudur Rahman, has called upon the political parties to forge the national unity in the interest of the country, democracy and the people forgetting petty differences. Even in some cases we have to compromise with the people who are allegedly in the October 28 incident of 2006.

He made the call yesterday at a discussion on "No Violence: Compromise for National Unity" at the National Press Club to condemn the October 28 carnage, where he was speaking as chief guest.

Nagorik Forum organized the discussion while Abdullahil Masud, chairman of the forum, presided over the function.

President of Jatiya Gonotantrik Party Shafiul Alam Prodhan, Former lawmaker and BNP leader Samsuzzaman Dudu, Former lawmaker and Jamat leader Moulana Abdus Soobhan, Acting Secretary General of Jatiya Party ANM Rahmatullah, Secretary General of Islami Oikkojote Moulana Abdul Latif Nezami, Former President of Dhaka Metropolitan Bar Association Advocate Abed Raza, Professors of Dhaka University Tahmina Akter and Dr. Nazrul Islam Sheikh, Barrister Tamis Uddin, among others, spoke on the occasion as special guest.

Mahmudur Rahman said, October 28 carnage was not an isolated incident. It was a part of conspiracy of home and abroad and one-eleven is the result of this carnage.

He urged the government to ensure and implement the trial of culprits involved in October 28 carnage in 2006.

The election of December 18, has to be held to protect democracy. Otherwise the CEC shall have to take all responsibilities of failing to hold the national election, he added.

He also said, " I do not expect morals and morality from the government."

Shafiul Alam Prodhan said, October 28 carnage was a rare incident of history even at the world perspective.

He called upon Begum Khaleda Zia to identify those were involved with the conspiracy of 28 October. Since at that time the four party-alliance was in power.

Samsuzzaman Dudu said, every political party should participate in the upcoming national election and there was no alternative to election, he said.

Speakers said, a political group of the country was trying to create violence. This group was also trying to dub the country as a failed state.

The speakers called upon the political parties to nominate honest men as candidate in the upcoming elections to establish an honest government and parliament.

They emphasised the need for national unity. They said, the national unity can not be formed by excluding a tangible political party.