CHATTOGRAM, Feb 10, 2019 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said
that BNP’s demand for releasing Khaleda Zia was tantamount to spitting the
rule of law.
Referring to the demand of BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed, the minister said that
the Prime Minister was not in a position to release Begum Zia.
“Releasing a convict is a matter of the courts, “he added.
Dr Hasan Mahmud said this, while inaugurating a 19-day long Combined
Ekushey Book Fair, 2019 at MA Aziz Stadium gymnasium.
Referring to the press conference of Rizvi Ahmed the minister said Khaleda
Zia had been sought by the law for long and she was found well dressed
wearing a sun glass and in good physical condition while appearing in court.
Regarding the digital revolution the information minister said the
Internet had opened a wide vista for all including through the social media.
“Currently, Bangladesh has around 8 crore Internet users which was 8 lakh in
2008,” he quoted figures.
Referring to the 21st August (2004) grenade attack, Dr Hasan said then
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia wanted to kill Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina through
the grisly assault. Khaleda failed to kill Hasina but succeeded in killing 24
leaders and activists of Awami League including Women Affairs’ Secretary Ivy
Rahman.
“It was shocking for the whole nation to hear the counter narrative of then
government in parliament. It said Sheikh Hasina had carried the grenades in
her vanity bag
and caused the incident,” the minister said.
Dr Hasan Mahmud said then parliament did not even adopt any obituary
resolution on the assassination of Shah ASM Kibria and Ahsanullah Master, who
were both legislators.
“BNP’s movement on the plea of releasing Begum Zia from jail was weak and
they lacked in cordiality and coordination,” the minister said.
Presiding over the inaugural function of the fair, Chattogram City Mayor
AJM Nasir said the book fair this time was in line with Dhaka Ekushey book
fair which had a number of new dimensions.
CCC officials Shamsudoha, Sumon Barua, Councilors Nazmul Hoque Duke,
Mohiuddin Shah Alam Nipu and
Jamal Uddin were present, among others, at the inaugural function.
A total of 101 publishers including 51 from Dhaka have set up their stalls
in the book fair.
A large number of writers, litterateurs, poets, teachers, journalists,
publishers and elite were present at the inauguration.