DHAKA: Opposition BNP apprehended that the country is heading towards a constitutional crisis after the back-to-back abrogation of the fifth and the seventh amendments by court orders.

“Where do we stand? Are we in a constitutional crisis as the 7th amendment to the constitution was cancelled too?” BNP senior joint secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir raised the question.

He came up with the observations at a discussion Sunday.
Bangladesh Sammilito Peshajibi Parishad organised the meeting at the National Press Club to press their demand for release of Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman and journalist Oliullah Noman.

Earlier on Thursday, the High Court in its verdict declared illegal the seventh constitutional amendment that had given legal cover to general HM Ershad’s takeover and his military rule.

Mirza Fakhrul also said the country is passing through crucial time as the 5th amendment was also cancelled beforehand.

The Fifth Amendment was brought by general Ziaur Rahman’s government for transition to democratic dispensation from the martial law regimes that had started off with the August 15, 1975 coup.              

Alleging that people are being killed in border areas, the BNP leader also asked, “What we are getting by giving transit and port facilities to a neighboring country?”

Deploring the filing of cases against party leaders, he said, “In spite of getting bails, Mirza Abbas was again shown arrested in ‘false’ cases. But ruling party MP Shawon was exonerated even in the case of killings.”

Mirza Fakhrul urged all, including party leaders and activists, to join the anti-government movement that is likely to be launched after the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Advocate Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Mia and Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain also spoke at the meeting with film-director Chashi Nazrul Islam in the chair.

BDST: 1648 HRS, AUG 29, 2010