CHATTOGRAM, Dec 31, 2021 (BSS) - Information and Broadcasting Minister (AL) Dr. Hassan Mahmud questioned whether BNP wants the right to burn cars and properties of people in the name of freedom.
 
“BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and other leaders are protesting against the government across the country every day. What more do they want? Do they want the right to burn vehicles and people's property?” said Hasan,   Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League.
 
He said, “Do they want to confine people calling strike day after day which they did in 2013, 2014, and 2015?”
 
Dr. Hasan said these while responding to a question of journalists this evening after the auspicious ceremony of the full-length film 'Dampara' based on the heroism of the-then  Chattogram district Superintendent of Police Shamsul Haque, who was killed by Pakistani occupation forces during the War of Liberation.
 
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Saleh Mohammad Tanvir presided over the function held at the Multipurpose Hall of Dampara Police Line while Chattogram Range DIG Anwar Hossain, actor of 'Dampara' film Ferdous Khan, actress Hasne Habib Bhabna, writer Anan Zaman, director Shuddhaman Chaitan, ex-SP Shamsul Haque's wife Mahmuda Hoque Chowdhury, among others, addressed the function.    
 
Replying to another query over a comment of BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul, the minister said, “If BNP wants the release of Khaleda Zia through the movement on the streets, why did they appeal to the government to send her abroad?
 
Dr. Hasan said the government has provided the highest treatment facilities to Khaleda Zia in the country, and she is taking the treatment at the hospital chosen by her.
 
Dr. Hasan said Khaleda Zia has been convicted, but the Prime Minister has shown generosity by suspending her sentence as well as keeping her free.
 
“She is receiving medical treatment under the supervision of her family and party…. if the health condition of Khaleda Zia deteriorates her family, party and physicians will be responsible for this,” he said.  
 
Terming Dampara movie as a masterpiece, Dr. Hasan Mahmud said Dampara is a historical place as it was an Armory in 1930. Masterda Suryasen with his revolutionary forces looted the armory and kept the Chittagong region independent from British Empire for 11 days.
 
“But everyone doesn’t know that history,” he added.
 
He said there was a discrepancy between the 1930 incident and the 1971 incident in Dampara. The paradox is that arms had to be looted from there in 1930. The revolutionaries revolted against the British government by looting arms and they were able to keep the Chittagong region independent for 11 days.  
 
But, there was no need to plunder during the Liberation War in 1971. Instead, Superintendent of Police Shamsul Haque, who was the keeper of the armory, distributed the weapons among the freedom fighters.
 
So, there is a contradiction between the two incidents, he added.