BHOLA, Sept 13, V7N — Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, today said Awami League, activities of which are currently banned, "brought disaster" to Bangladesh and stole the country's reserves and took them to the Philippines.
"The people of this country never knew that there was a torture cell called 'Aynaghar'," he said, adding that the Awami mafia group established the facility and tortured innocent people.
The Speaker made the remarks as the chief guest at an exchange of views with professionals and people from different walks of life, organised by Tazumuddin Upazila BNP at the Upazila Parishad auditorium around 5:30pm today.
He said Jamaat leader Ahmed Bin Quasem was detained and tortured for eight years, while many others, including Salauddin Quader Chowdhury, were victims of judicial killings.
He said the ousted Awami League government had given India maximum benefits but failed to prevent the killing of Bangladeshis along the border.
Hafiz assured the people that Tazumuddin upazila would be turned into a municipality and pledged various development initiatives, including improvement of roads and highways.
Recalling his military career, he said he was the first person from Lalmohan to join the army and that Major Ziaur Rahman (Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman) was his instructor.
"I never tried to accumulate wealth, whereas now many MPs make thousands of crores of taka," he said. He urged the people to remain committed to preserving Bangladesh's reputation.
Tazumuddin Upazila BNP General Secretary Omar Asad Rintu moderated the programme with President Golam Mostafa Mintu in the chair. Local BNP leaders and activists, including members of affiliated organisations, were present.
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