| Barisal develops Hasnat disorder 100 arches, posters, banners cover road to city as PM's cousin returns to home district today after 8 years
Barisal Fish Warehouse Operators' Association builds an arch in the divisional city welcoming Awami League leader Abul Hasnat Abdullah. Over 100 arches were set up in the city on the leader's return to Barisal after eight years He is not a government functionary; nor is he a lawmaker from any local constituency or elsewhere. Still his party ruling Awami League decides to accord him a big-budget homecoming reception.
The AL and its front organisations have erected as many as 100 arches on a 46-kilometre-long road stretching from Madaripur to Barisal city. Barisal AL leaders and workers pasted hundreds of posters on all visible public places in the divisional headquarters and decorated the roadsides with colourful banners and festoons.
All these arrangements are meant for a rousing reception to ex-chief whip Abul Hasanat Abdullah, Barisal district AL secretary and a cousin of the prime minister, as he returns to his hometown after eight years.
Abdullah, who did not visit Barisal since October 1, 2001 and left the country prior to the 1/11 changeover and lived in self-exile in India with his daughter married off to an Indian national, would be accorded reception in Barisal city this afternoon.
Shipping Minister Shahjahan Khan is scheduled to be present at the reception as the chief guest, AL presidium member Yusuf Hussain Humayun as the special guest while Barisal City Corporation Mayor Shawkat Hossain Hiron would chair the programme.
Local AL activists say preparations are underway to accord Abdullah a "befitting honour" by welcoming him with a caravan of motorcades.
City AL Office Secretary Laskar Nurul Huq told The Daily Star Abdullah would be accorded a reception on Fazlul Huq Avenue in the city this afternoon.
Asked about the funding of such huge arrangements, Barisal Mayor and convener of the reception committee Hiron said the arches have been erected by different organisations and associations from their own funds to avoid extortion or toll collection.
Asked about traffic congestions on roads and highways due to erection of so many arches, Hiron said the people did these "spontaneously" and "we cannot prevent them from expressing their feelings for their beloved leader who is returning after eight long years".
When reminded of AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam's instruction of not wasting money by decorating streets with huge gates or arranging any motorcades, Hiron declined to comment.
Abdullah was accused in six cases of ill-gotten wealth, concealing facts in property statement, evading taxes, possessing illegal arms and ammunition, forgery, terrorism, corruption and other offences.
He was sentenced to 36 years imprisonment in four cases heard in Dhaka and Barisal courts.
He was later granted bail in all cases upon surrendering before the High Court and also got order for postponement of two other cases.
The Barisal administration also forwarded recommendation to the home ministry for withdrawal of four cases filed against him here. | |
