BNP firm to launch stern movement

The BNP has expressed its determination to launch stern movement after Eid holidays. The 3-day national holyday for the Holy Eid-ul-Fitr ends on Thursday. Hours before the Eid holidays end, BNP’s Dhaka Metropolitan (city) committee convener Mirza Abbas has categorically said that the movement will not be stopped even if all leaders and activists are sent to jail. Abbas, also the BNP’s standing committee member, made the assertion while talking to journalists after exchanging Eid greetings with Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal leaders and workers at his Shahjahanpur residence in the city on Wednesday afternoon. He also expressed the hope that the government will not try to resists their movement, saying ‘rather, we hope it will respect our democratic rights’. Meanwhile, the Awami League has convened a joint meeting of its Dhaka metropolitan unit and associate front organisations on Saturday. The AL has called the meeting following BNP’s decision to launch stern post-Eid movement. Political observers have said the ruling party’s meeting has been scheduled after the party’s Central Working Committee went into a huddle amid the BNP’s threat to ‘toughen’ its anti-government agitation after Eid, according to agencies.