Govt clarifies

In a clarification, the government said it wants to make it clear that the scheduled venue -- the auditorium of Diploma Engineers Institute -- is located inside the 'highly security zone' earmarked for smooth holding of the 13th Saarc summit.

The government, therefore, did not want to take any risk as the convention would be largely attended, including leader of the opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad Sheikh Hasina, which might create security hazards, said an official handout.

There was no political intention behind the postponement of the convention as a number of functions of different social organisations has also been postponed considering the area as the 'high security zone,' the handout said.