AL-led alliance denounces Khaleda’s martyr remark

Awami League-led 14-party alliance will form a human chain across the country on February 24 in protest against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s controversial remarks over number of 1971 martyrs.

The human chain is expected to be formed at all district level headquarters across the country which is also meant for the unsolicited interference of Pakistan over Bangladesh’s domestic issue and from the trial of BNP chairperson for raising questions over the number of war martyrs.

Awami League spokesperson Mohammad Nasim made the announcement during a human chain at the south gate of the Baitul Mukarram in Dhaka this afternoon.

Several thousands of leaders and activists of the ruling alliance joined the human chain that extended from Gabtoli to Jatrabari in Dhaka to denounce Khaleda Zia’s controversial remarks about the number of martyrs.

They also demanded the severing of diplomatic ties with Pakistan and the trial of Jamaat leaders for their involvement in war crimes.

They participants observed that Pakistan is shamelessly interfering in Bangladesh's internal affairs, overstepping the boundaries of diplomatic norms.

The hour-long human chain that started at 4.00pm created traffic congestion in different parts of the city.

Tensions between the two countries have risen after Bangladesh asked Pakistan to withdraw two of its diplomats last year in connection with terror financing and Pakistan asked Bangladesh to remove a Bangladeshi diplomat without citing any reason earlier this year.

On December 21, BNP chief Khaleda Zia , in her first public address in more than a year, raised questions over the number of martyred in the Liberation War which drew criticism from different quarters of society and from the Awami League-led 14 alliance leaders across the country.