It\\\'s undeclared war against independence: Shahjahan

The BNP-led 20-party alliance has unleashed an undeclared war against the country's independence, sovereignty and democracy in the name of hartals and blockades, said Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan Wednesday.
 "The violent activities in the name of hartals and blockade in the country by BNP-Jamaat led 20-party alliance is nothing but to foil our independence," he said at a press briefing at the National Press Club on the day.
 "The alliance has killed 21 drivers and over one hundred other people by hurling petrol bombs on buses and trucks since the start of the blockade last month," he said and added that their aim is nothing but to turn Bangladesh into Pakistan by foiling the country's independence.
 "They are now united to avenge their defeat during the war of liberation in 1971," he said.
 "They are hatching conspiracies to destroy the country's economy and students' future," he added.
He criticised BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for sending her granddaughters to Malaysia to sit for their examinations whereas forcing 1.5 million secondary school certificate (SSC) or equivalent examinees to stay in deep uncertainty by enforcing hartals and blockades.
The SSC examinations were scheduled to start from February 2, but have been deferred due to the ongoing political impasse.
Mr Khan called upon the alliance to shun the path of destructive politics.
"Political unrest along with violence has worsened the situation of the country," he mentioned.
He urged the people to resist terrorist acts in the name of democracy and hold rallies and meetings against violence and stay alert on the streets alongside the law enforcement agencies to keep vehicular movement smooth.       
He announced a set of programmes to be observed from today (Thursday) to February 7 across the country.
As part of the programmes, the Sramik-Karmachari-Peshajibi-Muktijoddha Samannay Parishad along with people of other strata and professions should observe a 15-minute programme from 1:00 pm in front of their respective organisations to protest against the ongoing violent activities by BNP and Jamaat in the name of blockade and hartals.
Owners, officials, employees and workers of all offices and industries will assemble on the streets and stay for 15 minutes on the day in protest against hartals and blockade.
Drivers of all modes of vehicles including buses, launches and trains will toot horns for one minute from 1:00 pm on the day protesting against violence and killing of innocent people.
 "There will be a national convention on February 7 where people of different professions will participate at Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA). We will announce our next course of action from that programme," Mr Khan said.
Leaders of garment and transport sectors and Samannay Parishad, among others, were present.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com