The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami yesterday announced a five-day agitation programme from today to press for the release of party Ameer Moulana Matiur Rahman Nizami and Secretary General Ali Ahsan Muhammad Mujaheed.

The leaders of Jamaat were sent to jail in connection with Barapukuria coalmine corruption case yesterday.

"Sending our leaders to jail by denying them bail is part of a move to keep the four-party alliance as well as Jamaat out of the parliamentary elections," Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat told journalists at an impromptu press conference at the party's central office at Mogbazar in the city.

"The Court's verdict is part of conspiracy to keep the 4-party alliance out of the election," he added.

He said the charge sheet against a top leader of another party was withdrawn but Khaleda Zia and nine others are being "harassed" in Barapukuria coalmine corruption. He termed the case 'false'.

"This proves that the Government favours one political party and behaves step-motherly with another party. Today's incident also clearly proved that the government wants to install a particular party in power," said Mohammad Kamaruzzaman.

Jamaat will stage nonstop demonstrations and protest rallies across the country from Tuesday to Thursday. They will organize dua and protest on Friday

The party will submit memorandum to the Chief Adviser's office on November 16 in the capital and DC offices in district headquarters.

"We would sit with the BNP-led 4-party alliance soon to discuss further action programmes if our leaders were not released," said the Assistant Secretary General of Jamaat.

Asked if Jamaat will take part in Dec 18 election independently, he said Jamaat would participate in the polls with the alliance if their 7-point demand is met.