14-party not happy over govt measures

Leaders of the ruling Awami League-led 14-party grand alliance yesterday expressed disappointment over the "failure" of law enforcers to arrest the militants and criminals who were involved in recent secret killings.

They also urged the government to carry out the ongoing crackdown against militants properly with the help of the people as militant activities have spread from cities to rural areas.

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The leaders came up with the reaction in a meeting of the combine at the AL chief's Dhanmondi office, meeting sources told The Daily Star.

After the meeting, spokesperson for the alliance Mohammad Nasim, also AL presidium member, said the alliance would form human chains across the country on June 19, protesting the recent killings and militant activity.

The coalition leaders would also visit different districts after the Eid to create awareness among the people against militancy, he said.  

Besides, on June 14, the alliance leaders would visit the house of a Hindu priest who was recently hacked to death in Jhenidah, said Nasim, also the health minister.

He accused BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia of protecting the killers.

"Khaleda Zia has said AL leaders were involved in the killings. By making the remarks, she is openly giving protection to the killers. It's not a new side of her character. In the past, she and her husband wanted to save war criminals,” he said.

Referring to the comment of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir that BNP leaders might be arrested during the crackdown, Workers Party chief Rashed Khan Menon said if the BNP did not give shelter to the militants, they would have nothing to be afraid of.    

LEADERS VISIT BABUL

Leaders of the coalition yesterday visited the house of Superintendent of Police Babul Akhtar, husband of Mahmuda Khanam Mitu who was killed by assailants on June 5.

While visiting the house in the city's Banasree, they consoled Babul and enquired about his two sons and other family members.

Nasim, Menon and AL lawmaker Saber Hossain Chowdhury, among others, were present.