DHAKA: Justice Golam Rabbani, well-known for his memorable rulings while in the bench, Monday urged the local-government representatives to wage a ‘second liberation war’ to secure the rights they are denied.  

He argued that their jurisdiction is defined in the national constitution and that they could use logic and respect prescribed in the constitution as weapon of the war.   

He made the comment as chief guest at an exchange-of-views meeting on the 10-point charter of demands of Bangladesh Upazila Vice-chairmen Samannay Parishad at the National Press Club. Its President Mohammad Jahangir Alam was in the chair.

Reportedly laid idle since their elections—because of a clash of authority with the MPs from respective areas as well as the UZ chairmen—they asked the government to enforce the Upazila Parishad Act immediately amending the contradictory circular issued on March 22 this year.

They also called for activating the upazila parishad vesting it with respectable responsibilities following article 59 of the constitution.

The vice-chairmen also called for placing them in the warrant of precedence and providing them with training alongside the upazila chairmen.

Addressing the programme, Badiul Alam Majumder, General Secretary of Sushasoner Jonno Nagarik (SUJAN), said the role of Members of Parliament in the local administration is a “violation of the constitution as well as verdict of the court”.

He advised them to take legal action alongside continuing their movement to press home their demands.

Jahangir Alam threatened that they would launch a tougher movement like hartal if the government did not meet their demands.

Dr. Tofael Ahmed, UNDP Advisor for local government, Editor of Daily Bhorer Kagaj Shyamol Dutta and Vice-chairmen from different upazilas joined and addressed the meet.

BDST: 1647HRS. May 24, 2010
TSA/MMA/MUA