Hasina asks party men to fight back 'oppression'

"We don't want to see any more bodies of our men," she said, blaming the government for the killing of her party men.

Hasina inaugurated the triennial council of the AL Dhaka city unit at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh as chief guest.

She blamed the high command of the government for the killing of Bangladesh Chhatra League leader Saiful Rasul Palash as he protested extortionists patronised by the been marked by killing, rape, torture, extortion and price hike of essentials, she observed.

She questioned the lawfulness of engaging the armed forces in curbing crimes and said, "The government must disclose how much was spent on the Operation Clean Heart that engaged about 40,000 armed forces and how many illegal arms were recovered."

She also criticised the bills for raising perks for the prime minister and ministers, the government interference in the judiciary and nomination of Salauddin Quader Chowdhury as Bangladesh candidate for secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).

Alleging that the government has made parliament inactive, Hasina said, "Opposition lawmakers are not allowed to speak in the House and it has turned out to be a place for making untrue statements."

She said the government lacked confidence as it had come to power "under a blueprint and not with people's mandate".

She told the council that the next leaders of the AL's city unit will be a blend of the youth and the old. She warned of punitive actions against violators of party discipline.

AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Organising Secretary Saber Hossain Chowdhury and City unit General Secretary Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya also addressed the council chaired by Mohammad Hanif.