‘People against politics of eliminating opposition’

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Jamal Uddin
Published : 18:40, Oct 10, 2018 | Updated : 20:08, Oct 10, 2018

Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1There might be differences between the ruling party and the opposition, but eliminating opposition leaders can never be a democratic expression, the court observed in its verdict for the 2004 grenade attack on the Awami League rally.
On Wednesday, Dhaka Speedy Trial Tribunal-1 announced the verdict in the 14-year-old brazen attack, which left 24 people dead and hundreds injured.
Whichever party may be in the power in a democratic, country must strive to consolidate democracy by adopting a liberal policy towards the political opposition, observed Judge Shahed Nuruddin.
Former BNP ministers, Lutfozzaman Babar and Abdus Salam Pintu are among the 19 people sentenced to death while BNP acting chief Tarique Rahman and BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s former political affairs secretary Haris Chowdhury and 17 others have been given life in prison.
Eleven former government officials accused in the case received different jail terms.
"There might be hundreds of differences between the ruling party and the opposition, but killing the opposition leaders for gaining political advantage can never be a democratic expression," the court said in its observation.
“The general people do not want this kind of politics. The people want to know the policy, ideology and plan of a political party through active participation in its rally, procession and the like. However, if the trend of killing political leaders and mass people using Arges grenades continues, the people will turn away from politics.”
The court does not want to see repetition of brutal attacks like that of Shahjalal shrine, Ramna and the present case dealing with the gruesome grenade attacks on the then opposition leader and incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the tribunal said.

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