Govt ready for dialogue with opposition

He once again made a call for the opposition camp to set the time and place for such dialogue.

"Any issue can be resolved through discussion. Instead of enforcing hartals, strikes or any other destructive programmes, let's have some talks between us," Bhuiyan, also secretary-general of ruling BNP, said to the opposition.

He was speaking at a discussion in the city on the 15th death anniversary of Dr Shamsul Alam Khan Milon.

Bhuiyan's renewed proposal for dialogue came after leaders of the mainstream opposition parties on Friday asked the ruling party to come up with a precise proposal and agenda for dialogue.

Besides Mannan Bhuiyan, a number of leaders of the 14-party opposition combine addressed yesterday's discussion. They criticised the government for patronising militant groups in the country.

In response to the opposition's allegation, the BNP secretary general said the militants had started to grow during the last Awami League rule. "But they [AL government] stayed mum about those alarming developments and the people all along were kept in the dark about the problem. Unlike them, we are fighting to resist the militants," he observed.

The LRGD minister also alleged that instead of helping the government in the fight against militancy, the opposition is trying to reap political benefits.

The discussion held on Dhaka Medical College premises was organised by Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) to commemorate the death anniversary of Milon who was shot dead in 1990 while on his way home from a meeting against autocratic rule of Ershad.

Dr Milon's mother Selina Akhtar, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu, AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury, Commerce Ministry Adviser Barkatullah Bulu, State Minister for Health Amanullah Aman, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habibur Rahman Habib and BMA Secretary General Dr AZM Zahid Hossain among others spoke at the discussion presided over by BMA President Dr MA Hadi.

Rashed Khan Menon said militant groups with the government on their side are getting stronger day by day.

"Religious extremists are desperate to destroy our democracy and the rule of law," he said, criticising the government's alleged failure to deal with the menace.

AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury said ruling coalition partner Jamaat has long been working behind the militant activities in the country. "The government is indifferent to taking stern actions against the militants only to save its alliance with Jamaat," she said.

JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu said the religious fanatics have waged a war against the rule of law. He said the militancy has its root outside the country.

"Attacks on judges are an attack on country's democracy and the rule of law while those on shrines are an assault on religion," he observed.