Govt patronises militant outfits to cling to power

He said the militant activities are aimed to destroy the achievements of the liberation war and make the country ineffective to turn it into a province of Pakistan.

Jalil was speaking at a discussion titled 'We want a Bangladesh free from terrorism, communalism and militant activities' at the National Press Club in the city.

The discussion was organised jointly by World Bengali Conference and Bangladesh National Personality Research Centre to celebrate the 36th anniversary of Bangladesh Literature Culture Sangsad (BLCS).

Accusing the alliance government of trying to destroy the country, Jalil urged the pro-liberation forces to get united to build a mass upsurge to compel the government to quit power.

He hoped that a strong agitation by the 14-party combine led by AL President Sheikh Hasina would oust the four-party alliance government soon.

"Today the countrymen and their independence are hostage in the hands of Razakars," he added.

Acting AL President Zillur Rahman MP said Khaleda-Nizami alliance government has pushed the country to the fire of hell.

He said the militant activities started in the country when late President Ziaur Rahman rewarded the murderers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

To save the country's freedom and sovereignty from the clutches Khaleda-Nizami, the opposition coalition will strengthen its movement, he added.

AL presidium member Abdur Razzak MP called upon the democratic, progressive and pro-liberation forces to build rock-solid unity in uprooting the repressive alliance government from power through a massive people's movement.

AL Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the government does not want fair election and that's why it is not agreeing to reform Election Commission and Caretaker Government.

"The government knows well that if the reform proposals are accepted it will face defeat in the next general election" he said.

Obaid said due to division among the pro-liberation forces, Jamaat-e-Islami has been able to come to the present stage.

Language Movement Veteran Mahbub Alam Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Sector Commander Lt Col (Retd) Abu Osman Chowdhury, and Dr Ruhul Haque also took part in the discussion presided over by BLCS Chairman Poet Abdul Khaleque.