DHAKA: Acting General Secretary of the ruling Awami League Mahbubul Alam Hanif Saturday said if the opposition directed movement to halt the trial of war criminals and Tareque and Koko, they would be dealt with a strong hand.

“We have nothing to say if the opposition carries out movement aiming to serve public interest as well as the country," the AL leader, however, said.

"But if the movement is to save war criminals, Tareque and Koko, it will be resisted with a strong hand," he said at a discussion, amid opposition threat to wage movement against the government.

Islamic University Alumni Association organized the Iftar party and discussion on ‘Role of Alumni in Implementing Vision 2021’ at the Officers’ Club auditorium with its President Shahjahan Alam Saju in the chair.

He alleged that the then BNP-led government had destroyed the judiciary of the country and used the administration in serving their parochial interest.

Denying BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia’s accusations about detention of opposition leaders and workers, Hanif said the BNP-led government patronized the militants and that`s why accused BNP leaders are now behind bars.

Nure Alam Siddique Jiku, Vice-chancellor of Jagannath University Shawkat Jahangir and PM’s protocol officer Proloy Kumar Zoarder, among others, attended the discussion.

BDST: 2147 HRS, SEPTEMBER 04, 2010.