Khaleda to be held responsible for blockade, violence: Hanif

Joint General Secretary of the ruling Awami League (AL) Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif, MP, said Thursday that BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will be held responsible for the violence following the ongoing blockade programme, reports BSS.

"Marking January 10, homecoming day of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Victory Day for Democracy on January 5, we had declared our programmes about a month earlier. BNP declared its counter-programme 10 to 15 days later. So it is BNP, who have to bear responsibility for the ongoing blockade," he said.

Mr Hanif came up with the observations while addressing a joint meeting of Awami Swecchasebok League (ASL) at party's Bangabandhu Avenue office in the city.

The meeting was organised for making the rally on January 10 at Suhrawardy Udyan a grand success.

Presided over by ASL president Molla Md Abu Kawsar, the meeting was also addressed by Relief and Disaster Management Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Bir Bikram, Pankaz Debnath and Md Motiur Rahman Moti.

Thanking the High Court (HC) for banning speeches and statements of BNP Senior Vice-chairman Tarique Rahman from being published, broadcast or reproduced in print, electronic and social media, Hanif said BNP has now turned into a terrorist organisation.

"BNP has no strength left except making damage to people's life and property through ambush. After declaring programme, their acting Secretary General took refuge in the National Press Club and Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi in a hospital. So, movement is not for them," he said.

Terming January 10 a historical day for the Bengali nation, Hanif urged all to observe the day with due respect