Pro-government lawyers out to divide the legal profession

"They (BNP-Jamaat) came to power through a rigged general election and resorted to naked interference in the judiciary ... unfortunately, now they are trying to create a rift among the lawyers," she said.

Sheikh Hasina made the remark when leaders of Dhaka District Bar Association met her at the Dhanmondi office of Awami League yesterday.

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Hasina lambasted the alliance government for imposing tax on lawyers and termed it "nothing but repression."

She accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance of unleashing a reign of terror across the country.

Referring to a US report on Bangladesh, the Awami League chief said bribery and corruption have crossed all limits. "BNP is patronising bribery, criminality and corruption," she said.

If BNP-Jamaat alliance remains in power, she said, socio-economic improvement of the country would remain a far cry.

Hasina accused the ruling alliance of following a "double-standard" by releasing criminals from jail and withdrawing the cases against them, and at the same time, deploying joint force to curb criminal activities.

"Her double standard will not bring peace in the country. Huge amounts of ammunition have been recovered from Bogra recently. Even today, arms and ammunition are being recovered," she said.

Hasina accused the family of the prime minister of "wasting" public money by taking various facilities after the death of president Ziaur Rahman.

Dhaka District Bar Association President advocate M Israfil also spoke at the meeting.

Party leaders Zillur Rahman, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Obaidul Kader, Abdur Rahman, Ashim Kumar Ukil and BM Mojammel Huq, and District Bar General Secretary advocate Mukhlesur Rahman Badal were present.