Mourners had to scramble to get in to pay homage
Monday, 15 December 2008
Political leaders, university teachers, journalists and socio-cultural activists had to face unwarranted hassles in paying homage to martyred intellectuals Sunday morning at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial at Mirpur, reports UNB.
Witnesses said police and security personnel blocked the passage towards the memorial for an hour until ex-Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia came to place wreaths at the altar.
"Hundreds of mourners were seen pushing and shoving to pass through barriers put up by riot police. But the law-enforcers didn't allow them in until the BNP chairperson visited the memorial and placed wreaths at the altar at around 9.00 am," said a spot account of the scrambles.
After paying homage to the slain intellectuals she proceeded towards Khulna on an election-campaign tour.
Gono Forum president and eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon and Dhaka University teacher Arefin Siddique were annoyed at this. After exchange of words with the policemen, Dr Kamal and Menon left the place without placing wreaths at the memorial.
"We didn't come here to see the queens; we are not here to see the VIPs. We came here to show respect to our friends who were martyred during the liberation war," a visibly angry Dr Kamal said in his spot reaction to journalists.
Witnesses said police and security personnel blocked the passage towards the memorial for an hour until ex-Prime Minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia came to place wreaths at the altar.
"Hundreds of mourners were seen pushing and shoving to pass through barriers put up by riot police. But the law-enforcers didn't allow them in until the BNP chairperson visited the memorial and placed wreaths at the altar at around 9.00 am," said a spot account of the scrambles.
After paying homage to the slain intellectuals she proceeded towards Khulna on an election-campaign tour.
Gono Forum president and eminent jurist Dr Kamal Hossain, Workers Party president Rashed Khan Menon and Dhaka University teacher Arefin Siddique were annoyed at this. After exchange of words with the policemen, Dr Kamal and Menon left the place without placing wreaths at the memorial.
"We didn't come here to see the queens; we are not here to see the VIPs. We came here to show respect to our friends who were martyred during the liberation war," a visibly angry Dr Kamal said in his spot reaction to journalists.