Khaleda resorts to falsehood: Hasina

"What a big liar the Prime Minister is! On what basis the PM says that she came to know about militancy in Bangladesh after Aug 17, 2005 when her government itself banned several Islamic outfits in February of the same year? Who were behind the grenade attacks on Aug 21, 2004 in which dozens of AL leaders and activists were killed.? Were the attackers directed by the government?" Hasina raised the questions at a discussion on the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban marking the World Health Day.

She said the real culprits behind the Aug 21 grenade attack could not be brought to book due to government's reluctance to fully investigate the savage attack.

"Khaleda's falsehood to an international magazine proves that she wants to hide the real history of the rise of militancy in Bangladesh. Police have arrested Bangla Bhai and Shaikh Abdur Rahman. But it seems that the government is indifferent to unmask 2000 members of JMB's suicide squad. Where have the brutal killers gone?" Hasina questioned.

She alleged that when the country's pro-liberation forces were trying to protect democracy and sovereignty of the country by proposing reforms in the caretaker government system and the Election Commission, the government was trying to sidetrack the people's demand.

"The government is conspiring to cheat the people. When the BNP secretary general invites us to hold dialogue on reform proposals, Khaleda says there is no need to reform the caretaker government system and the Election Commission," she said.

Hasina accused the Prime Minister, her family members, government ministers, MPs and their relatives of plundering public money and ruining the economy and all service sectors including health.

"People are deprived of minimum services. They don't have food and power. Farmers don't have fertiliser and diesel. But some people who have the blessings of the government are fattening their bank balances," she said.

The opposition leader said the country is now passing through such a bad time that police and ruling party cadres are killing innocent people just for demanding uninterrupted supply of electricity.

"In Kansat, police and government cadres have killed 14 people on two occasions as they have been on an agitation to realise their rights as the citizens of a sovereign country," she said.

Hasina urged people to raise their voices against all kinds of repression and put an end to present anti-people rule.

Chaired by Abdul Mannan MP, the discussion was attended by AL acting general secretary Obaidul Kader, presidium member Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Dr Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin and Dr Abul Barakat.