Hafiz demands withdrawal of emergency in a month
Sunday, 25 November 2007
BNP Acting Secretary General Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed has demanded of the government to withdraw the State of Emergency within the next one month and to restore democracy through early elections.
Talking to reporters at his Banani house Saturday, he also demanded release of detained political leaders, including former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, through legal process to allow them to stand by the cyclone victims, reports UNB.
He said the State of Emergency must be withdrawn from all over the country, not only from the cyclone-affected districts.
About relief work in the affected areas, Hafiz said BNP relief teams, led by standing committee members, Lieutenant General (retd) Mahbubur Rahman and BNP City General Secretary Abdus Salam, are distributing relief materials among the distressed people.
The BNP leader suggested distribution of more relief goods in the worst-hit areas, including Barguna, where, he said, people are living without food and clothes.
He also urged the government to disburse interest-free farm loans among the farmers.
In reply to a question, Hafiz said many well-off people could not come forward to help the distressed people for various reasons.
He thanked the international community for dispatching emergency relief goods and appreciated the members of the armed forces for carrying out relief and rescue operation.
Asked about the arrest of pro-reformist BNP leader Ashraf Hossain, Hafiz avoided his comments saying, "It's a legal matter."
Talking to reporters at his Banani house Saturday, he also demanded release of detained political leaders, including former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina, through legal process to allow them to stand by the cyclone victims, reports UNB.
He said the State of Emergency must be withdrawn from all over the country, not only from the cyclone-affected districts.
About relief work in the affected areas, Hafiz said BNP relief teams, led by standing committee members, Lieutenant General (retd) Mahbubur Rahman and BNP City General Secretary Abdus Salam, are distributing relief materials among the distressed people.
The BNP leader suggested distribution of more relief goods in the worst-hit areas, including Barguna, where, he said, people are living without food and clothes.
He also urged the government to disburse interest-free farm loans among the farmers.
In reply to a question, Hafiz said many well-off people could not come forward to help the distressed people for various reasons.
He thanked the international community for dispatching emergency relief goods and appreciated the members of the armed forces for carrying out relief and rescue operation.
Asked about the arrest of pro-reformist BNP leader Ashraf Hossain, Hafiz avoided his comments saying, "It's a legal matter."