Hasina for int'l body to probe ammo haul

"Only an international probe commission consisting of multinational experts could be expected to solve the mystery surrounding the incident as local police have failed even to determine where the munitions were made, let alone find any clue to the identity of the culprits," she said.

Hasina, also Awami League president, was addressing a huge public meeting at Shaheb Bazar in Rajshahi town on the last leg of her three-day tour of three northern districts.

She said people have a right to know where the munitions came from and who sent them.

Presided over by city AL president Mahbub Zaman Bhulu, the meeting was also addressed by former agriculture minister Motia Chowdhury, former home minister Mohammad Nasim, AL Secretary General Abdul Jalil MP, Omar Faruk Choudhury and local AL leaders.

She rejected the government claim of AL's involvement in the incident, saying the union AL leader arrested in connection with the haul would not have been such a poor man had he dealt in such a large consignment of munitions.

Hasina said a united oust-government movement was imperative to free the nation of the "BNP-Jamaat misrule that is leading the country to a dangerous future". She said only AL could bring peace and security to public life and safeguard the country's independence and sovereignty.

"This government, which cannot ensure people's security and check the price-hike of essentials, has no right to stay in power," she said.

"Awami League liberated the country... and during our five-year rule we alleviated poverty, restored people's confidence and made the country self-dependent in food. But the present government in its 21-month rule has destroyed public confidence by unleashing a reign of terror through patronised criminals," Hasina said.