Death threat to PM: AL stages demos across country

The Awami League and its front organisations held protests across the country yesterday demanding the arrest of BNP's Rajshahi district unit Convenor Abu Sayeed Chand for issuing a "death threat" to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

They also vowed to politically resist BNP on the streets if it attempted to plot conspiracies or cause unrest in the country.

On Friday, BNP leader Chand reportedly threatened the PM while addressing a public rally held at Shibpirhat School field in Rajshahi.

During his speech, Chand said the BNP has no other demand except to ensure that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina goes to her grave.

Protesting the comment, Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud said the BNP has not yet abandoned its violent and murderous political tactics.

"BNP's Rajshahi district unit convener gave a death threat to the prime minister…This is something that all BNP leaders are thinking about. And it was accidentally disclosed by their Rajshahi district unit convener," Mahmud, also joint general secretary of AL, said at a programme in Dhaka, reports BSS.

Mahbubul Alam Hanif, another AL joint general secretary, at a separate programme in Dhaka, said AL men will resist the conspirators with strong hands.

Besides, Jubo League central leaders and activists held a protest rally at Shaheed Minar in Dhaka.

There, they said the BNP leader issued the death threat to Sheikh Hasina as part of the party's anti-state conspiracy, adding that, such conspiracies would be politically resisted on the streets.

Leaders and activists of Swechhashebak League and Krishok League held a protest in front of the AL's central party office in Dhaka.

Bangladesh Chhatra League held a rally near the Raju Memorial sculpture at Dhaka University and Mohila Awami League held a programme in front of the National Press Club.

Dhaka University Teachers' Association formed a human chain at the foot of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture.

Meanwhile, outside Dhaka, protests were held in Savar, Jhalakathi, Bhola, Nilphamari, Gopalganj, Lalmonirhat, Bogura, Sunamganj, Rangamati, Narshingdi and Lakshmipur, reports BSS.

In Netrokona, AL men brought out a protest procession around noon and marched different streets in the town.

A few agitating protesters from the procession attacked the district BNP office and vandalised it.

On information, police rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, reports our correspondent.

Furthermore, 23 eminent citizens in a statement yesterday strongly condemned Chand's remark and demanded his immediate arrest.

The signatories include Abed Khan, Nasir Uddin Yusuf, Golam Quddus, Kamal Pasha Chowdhury and Rokeya Prachi.

[Our correspondent from Netrakona contribute to the report.]