Lawmakers of both the treasury and opposition benches yesterday described the violence during the BNP-led alliance's ongoing blockade and hartals as acts of terrorism, and demanded Khaleda Zia's arrest and trial on those counts. In an unscheduled discussion in parliament, several MPs also urged the government to act tough to contain "violence and terrorism of the 20-party alliance". Lawmakers from
the ruling Awami League and the opposition Jatiya Party alike said the happenings in the name of BNP-Jamaat's blockade were acts of terrorism and there was no room for terrorism anywhere in the world. Amir Hossain Amu, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Abdul Matin Khasru, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Chief Whip ASM Firoz of the AL; Ziauddin Ahmed Bablu and Kazi Firoz Rashid of the JP; and independent lawmakers Hazi Muhammad Selim and Nixon Chowdhury, among others, took part in the discussion. Nixon Chowdhury even walked out of the House protesting at not arresting Khaleda Zia for "masterminding killings". So far, 28 people have died in the anti-government programmes since January 5. Suranjit said the government must deal with "the BNP-Jamaat terrorism" to safeguard democracy, and take legal actions against BNP chief Khaleda. ASM Firoz demanded Khaleda's trial, saying she had declared a war against the country and democracy. Advertisement Tofail said Khaleda is giving orders to kill people while sitting in a "luxurious office". The current situation would be normal in seven days, he added. Amu alleged Khaleda has been killing common people as they voted in the January 5 elections last year. Dipu Moni said, "What Khaleda Zia is doing is terrorism and it has no relations with politics." Terming Khaleda a killer, Nanak said no discussion could be held with her. Bablu said people want safety and security of their lives and properties and "the government must act tough to make the situation normal." In response, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the government would follow the dictates of law to take actions against the BNP chief. Hazi Selim said he would give his one month's salary to the mother of student Ovi, who died yesterday six days after being burnt in an arson attack. He urged other parliamentarians to do the same for the hartal-blockade victims.
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