Information and Broadcasting Minister and Joint General Secretary of the Awami League Dr Hasan Mahmud has said that the BNP is in dialogue with the parties of their alliance and some in absentia parties.
He was speaking to reporters after an exchange of views with the newly-elected committee of the Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh (CRAB) in the meeting room of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the Secretariat on Sunday.
He said, "I have seen in the newspapers that the parties with which the BNP is engaging in dialogue belong to the so-called 22-party alliance of the BNP, although some have fled from the 22 parties. That is, they are having a dialogue with themselves. Only after they meet with some other groups that we do not know of in Bangladesh, many of which have no registration. These parties a parties in absentia. BNP's dialogue with them is not only ridiculous, it also shows the political misery of BNP.”
When asked about the cause of the fire at the Sitakunda container depot in Chittagong on Saturday night, the Information Minister said, "The Prime Minister is looking into the matter herself and has given necessary instructions to everyone. Our team leaders have been instructed to donate blood wherever it is needed and to cooperate overall. Leaders and activists of Awami League and other allied organizations including Juba League, Chhatra League and Swechchhasebak League have jumped. Whether the matter is an accident or sabotage will also be looked into. Because whether such a big incident is an accident or a sabotage in the true sense of the word, it also needs to be examined.”
Earlier, the minister congratulated CRAB’s newly elected committee and said that they often face big risks in reporting on crime. At the same time, care must be taken not to infringe on anyone's personal boundaries while reporting, so as not to infringe upon the rights protected by law. Training in this regard can enhance the skills of reporters. Hasan Mahmud said he would instruct the Press Institute to provide training.
CRAB President Mirza Mehedi Tamal, Vice President Muh: Jahangir Alam, General Secretary Asaduzzaman Biku, Joint Secretary Imran Hossain Sumon, Finance Secretary Saiful Islam Montu, Organizing Secretary Ataur Rahman, Office Secretary Ismail Hussain Emu, Publicity and Publication Secretary Rudra Russell, Sports and Cultural Secretary SM Mintu Hossain, Training and Information Technology Secretary Sajjad Mahmud Khan, Welfare Secretary Nahid Tanmoy, International Secretary Shahin Alam, Executive Members Md. Amanur Rahman Rony, Sirajul Islam and Mohammad Zakaria greeted the Minister and took part in the exchange of views.
