Action to be taken for role in spreading audio message: Hanif

Awami League (AL) joint general secretary Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif Tuesday said categorically that action would be taken against those who would be found involved in the audio message of militant outfit Al-Qaeda, reports BSS.

He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the Badrul Alam Memorial Awards distribution ceremony held at Sagar-Runi auditorium of Dhaka Reporters' Unity at Segunbagicha in the city.

The History Preservation Project of Dhaka Medical College organised the function with eminent physician Prof Mirza Mazharul Islam in the chair.

Another joint general secretary of AL Dr Dipu Moni and member-secretary of the project Monilal Aich Litu also spoke, among others.

Bitterly criticising BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's remarks that the ruling AL gave statement involving his party and Al-Qaeda to the matter to appease the United States (US), Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said, "There is no scope for escape by refusing the allegation. One front ranked leader of your party had a meeting with Daud Ibrahim in Dubai when your party was in power. You had patronised Mufti Izhar to mount grenade attacks. So, the militants would not only be tried but those who would be found involved in this connection would also be tried."

He said, "Ayman Al-Zawahiri gave an audio message in the same manner some BNP leaders used to patronise acts of terrorism through video message like that of Laden a few days back. Whether the audio message of Al-Qaeda was true or false is being investigated now."

The AL leader said, "In the message of Zawahiri, there is no scope left to think that there is no network of Al-Qaeda in Bangladesh. Mufti Izharul wrote a book on his Afghanistan-'Ghure Elam Afghanistan'. So, there might be many of them like him in the country." Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif said Zawahiri visited Bangladesh thrice when BNP was in power. Investigation is going on in this regard. Not only Jamaat harboured the militants but BNP also patronised them."

The AL leader said, "It's not new that BNP has links with terrorism. They have militant connections for clinging to power forever. Bangladesh would never be transformed into a haven of militants whatever might be the threats of Al-Qaeda and Laskar-e-Taiba. The roots of militancy would be uprooted."

Some 13 personalities were decorated with the Badrul Alam Memorial awards for their contributions in various sectors at the function.