AL not rejoining budget session, seeks int'l probe on Bogra hauls

"... Our joining the coming sessions will depend on government's readiness to run the House in line with the Rules of Procedure," said Abdul Jalil, general secretary of the AL.

Briefing newsmen during the lunch break of the AL Central Working Committee (ALCWC) meeting at the Dhanmondi office of the party, Jalil said the atmosphere in the House has deteriorated due to continued 'abusive' speeches by treasury bench members.

He demanded expunction of all abusive speeches by the treasury benchers against the AL and its chief Sheikh Hasina.The ALCWC meeting urged the international community to investigate the ammunition and explosive hauls in Bogra as there might be an international deal behind the whole affair, Jalil said.

Explaining the necessity of an international probe, Jalil said, "We have no confidence in government investigations as the prime minister and the home minister have already made irresponsible remarks blaming Awami League for the crime. These will mislead the investigations."

The opposition leader, however, did not specify the nature of the international probe body. "The party chief has already demanded an international probe in the Bogra ammunition and explosives haul while talking to the British high commissioner in Dhaka on Wednesday. Highly placed persons in the government are involved in the crime," he said.

Quoting a newspaper report, Jalil said the ammunition and explosives were brought under a firearms deal. "Such crime is a threat to the country's sovereignty and security."

The ALCWC rejected the budget for the current fiscal and pointed out it has brought misery to the common man, Jalil said.

On the August 21 by-elections in Netrokona-3 constituency, the meeting decided in principle to participate in the polls. It resolved that the party presidium will make a final decision.

Earlier, Jalil had told The Daily Star the party will not nominate any candidate for the polls, but any party man was at liberty to take part in the race individually.

The ALCWC approved a new committee of the party's Kurigram district unit.

Expressing satisfaction over the completion of party conferences of 291,160 wards, 3,240 unions, 270 upazila and seven districts, the meeting directed all concerned to complete the conferences of the remaining party units by this month.

AL Joint Secretary Obaidul Kader was also present at the briefing.