16th amendment verdict: Lawyers in demo, counter-demo

Pro-Awami League lawyers today staged demonstrations at different bar associations across the country in protest against what they said “unexpected”, “irrelevant” and “unconstitutional” observations made by the chief justice in the 16th amendment case verdict.

They also formed human chains and held meetings under the banner of Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad (BAAP) at the south hall of the SCBA in Dhaka this afternoon as part of their three-day protest programme.

BAAP’s Convener Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun said they rejected with “hatred” the observation that “No nation, no country is made of or by one person”.

BAAP leader SM Rezaul Karim told The Daily Star that the lawyers have held rallies at 64 bars out of total 73 bar associations across the country.

Meanwhile, Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a pro-BNP lawyers' platform, formed human chains and held meetings at all bars including the Supreme Court Bar Association demanding resignation and arrest of Law Commission Chairman Justice ABM Khairul Haque for his comments on the verdict.

JAF and BNP leaders Barrister AM Mahbub Uddin Khokon said Khairul Haque should be arrested and tried in the Gono Adalot for making derogatory comments about the SC verdict in the 16th amendment case.  

Khokon told this correspondent that JAF leaders and members have enforced the same programme at 55 bar associations across the country.