The Jatiya Sangsad resumed Its sitting at 3-06 pm on Sunday with the Deputy Speaker. Sheikh Razzak All. tn the chair, reports BSS.

After the day s proceedings begun with recitation from the holy Quran the Speaker invited Mr. Nurul Islam Moni to raise his question.

Shamsunnah ar

Immediately after the question-answer hour. Begum Shamsunnahar Khwaja Ahsan Aullah (BNP-NarayanganJ-MunshlganJ) took the floor on a point of order.

She said the Leader of the House and Prime Minister. Begum Khaleda Zia. had repeatedly demanded publication of a white-paper on the misdeeds of the autocratic regime of Ershad. She wanted to know as to why this white-paper was not being published.

The BNP member demanded immediate publication of the white-paper so that people could know the misdeeds done during the last nine years by autocrat Ershad.

Sangsad members from both the Treasury and the Opposition Benches expressed their support to her demand by thumping tables.

Privilege motions disposed of

The Deputy Speaker then disposed of the notices of privilege motions. Referring to the notice from Mr. Dhirandra Nath Devnath Shamboo (AI^-Barguna) regarding the disruption of telephone lines at the Shere-Bangla Nagar, he re-iuested the Sangsad ecretarlat and the Tele-Communications Ministry to look into the matter.

On his notice of privilege motion Mr Matiur Rahman Nizami (Jamaat-Pabna) said that Bangladesh Television in its 10 pm news bulletin on April 25 had telecast his name as Ruhul Amin Nizami. The Deputy Speaker said the television as an important national mass communication medium should be more careful in presenting the names ahd identities of the members.

Sudhangshu Shekhty

At this stage. Mr Sudhangshu Shekhar Haidar on a point of order said that Mr^Anwar Hossain was a pro-der. Mr Haidar wanted to know from the Chair as to how Mr Anwar Hossain had entered the House yesterday. He relevant Rules of the to know whether there was any order for ball or the Speaker himself had given Mr Hossain any protection.

The Deputy Speaker said he would inform the House in this connection later.

Moudud Ahmed

Mr Moudud Ahmed (JP Noakhali) look the floor and said Mr Anwar Hossain was an honourable elected member of Parliament. He was not a convicted person. He suggested that Mr Haidar should rectify his statement so that the chair could give It* reply

Drawing attention of the Speaker. Foreign Minister ASM Mostaftrur Rahman said the foreign visitors to the Sangsad Bhaban were lacing difficulties as all the markings and signs in the House had been inscribed in Bangla. He said two foreign Ambassadors had personally told him that they had been lost in the Sangsad Bhaban. The Foreign Minister requested the Chair to take steps for inscribing the markings and signs of the Sangsad Bhaban tn the English

M^Ntehluddln Ahmed that the pror^ding^f’t^ House be interpreted in English for the foreign visitors

SkRanakAH

Going back to the order of day the Deputy Speaker said he had received 29 no-U*s of adjouz—sent motions aw Saturday. He had accepted the notice from Mr AM Reasatet Ab Uanwat-Satkhiral.

JJeg—dtog notice on the ad-STtCn^^S^SZTaMd Aacorreetpotolton of the to-pers shXldb^^iXaeedbe few imgltl toe notice ' About the Influx of the Rohlwgya refugees In Bangladesh from Buftna. the Deputy Speaker drew the attention of the relief ministry.

Salauddin Yusuf

Salauddin Yusuf (AL-Khulna) took the floor on a point of order and said an unusual incident took place in the Sangsad Bhaban Saturday. Fortner Minister and Jatiya Party Member Anwar Hossain though under warrant of arrest, came to the House, took oath and attended the session, he said.

Referring to the comments on the detention order against Anwar Hossain as published in Sunday's newspapers. Yusuf said, detention order against any person came into effect from the date of arrest not from the date of issue of such order.

Matiur Rahman Nizami

Matlur Rahman Nizami (Jamaat-Pabna) took the floor and expressed his resentment over the rejection of his notice for an adjournment motion to discuss the Indian entry into TalpatO island.

He said that the BDR had lodged a protest in this connection.

The Jamaat member de scribed the entry of Indian gun boats into Bangladesh waters arounds Talpatti island as a physical attack on the independence and sovereignty of the country.

He said he thought the privilege of the House was infringed by not allowing discussion on the issue.

Mnxtafinrr Rahman

Replying to the Jamaat Member. Foreign Minister ASM Mustaftzur Rahman said it was not an incident of April 21. He said, one fisherman in the area had reported to the BDR on February 21 that four gun boats had entered into Bangladesh territorial waters and kidnapped 12 fishermen.

The Minister said on the basis of information, the BDR had communicated the matter to the Indian side during a flag meeting.

TWgd Ahmed

Rising on a point of order Tofael Ahmed(AL-Bhola) said he had submitted a notice of an adjournment motion on the law and order situation in the country and demanded a full dress discussion in this regard.

He said total lawlessness was prevailing in the country and pointed out that an Awaml League leader was mercilessly axed In Bhoia and the accused had been freely moving.

Begum Khaleda Zia herself In a speech had stressed on main tainlng law and order which was pre-condition for devel

Mohiuddin Ahmed (BKSAL Pirojpurl drew the attention of the chair to the wastage of time of the Sangsad He wanted to know under what rule JarmuU member Mau Una

spoken on a notice already rejected by the chair

IMwarHoaaain

Deh^H WHlP 'he BNP ttoxoFthTstaM—d* misused because of frequent

Opposition members without to

IheDeipwy Speaker smd he

■toO» -nd added only one no Hee from Begum Hefeza Asma Khatun (Jamaat-Gopalganj M-terlpur and Shmtetpur) on oppression of women and tak ing up special programme for them had been accepted.

Rising on a point of order Moudud Ahmed (JP-Noakhali) referred to a question earlier raised by Awaml League member Salahuddln Yusuf about Anwar Hossain (JP-PlroJpur) who took oath Saturday.

Moudud said he had the expectation that the AL members would defend the case of Hossain as an honourable member of the House. As the Awaml League members raised protest Moudud said it was the Awaml League which had enacted the Special Powers Act.

The JP member said that the detention period of Anwar Hossain expired on April 10 or 11 as it had been mentioned that the detention would come into effect from the date of the issue of the order.

Mohammad Nasim

Taking the floor Chief Whip of the Opposition Mohammad Nasim referred to a news item published tn a city daily Sunday reporting the oath taking of Anwar Hossain and his coming to the Sangsad secretly.

Referring to Moudud's contention. Nasim said, another member of the House Zainal Hazari was once taken into custody during a session of Parliament when Moudud himself was the Prime Minister.

He said he wanted to know as to how a person having a warrant of arrest on him could enter into Sangsad Bhaban evading the eyes of police.

As Nasim concluded his speech, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House for the Asr prayer.

Nasim's attention drawn

When the House resumed after the Asr prayer Mr Moudud Ahmed drew the attention of the Chair to the opposition Chief Whip Mohammad Nasim s statement on the oath-taking of Anwar Hussain and his coming to the Sangsad on Saturday. He expressed the hope that Mr Nasim would withdraw his comment since it was objectionable. He said the dignity of the House could be maintained by protecting the rights of the members of the House.

Turning to the Chair. Mr Moudud said "You have given Mr Hossain his due right which is compatible with the Law". He said the oath was administered to Mr Hossain on our request after examining the pros and cons of laws for long 12 and a half hours.

He said Mr Zainal Hazari was a member of Parliament in 1986 on a ticket from Awaml League which had participated in the General Election. He said another party, of course, did not take part in the polls due to their principled stand.

He said Zalnul Hazari was arrested against a specific case and was not under preventive detention.

Mr Moudud said the members of the smaller parties in the House must enjoy the protection of the larger parties to exercise their rights.

Asaduzzaman

Participating in the discussion Mr Asaduzzaman (AL-Magura) said the House had the right to know the whereabouts of Mr Anwar Hossain a statement by the Leader of the House could make ft clear, he added.

He said after the appearance of Mr Hossain In the House it was now clear who were the people having secret alliance with the Jatiya Party.

Mr Asaduzzaman demanded a statement from the Prime Minister and Leader of the House. Begum Khaleda Zia. on the Issue.

Del war Hossain

Taking the floor. Chief Whip of the treasury bench Mr Delwar Hossain said. Mr Anwar Hossain came to the Jatiya Sangsad only three days after Mr Moudud Ahmed had met the Leader of the Opposition in her chamber here.

He said it had now become clear with whom the Jatiya Partymen had understandings.

He said."We are law-abiding" and law will take its own course". He said we could not ask the law enforcing agencies to apply the laws on Mr Hossain as he got the benefit of the existing law.

He hoped that attempt to mislead the people would now end by his submission in the House.

Salauddin Quader Chowdhury

Taking the floor on a point of order. Mr Salauddin Quader Chowdhury(NDP-Chittagong) thanked the Speaker for his bold step in administering the oath of office as a member of Parliament to Mr. Anwar Hossaln(JP-Plrojpur).

He said the role of the Speaker in this connection would be written in golden letters in the parliamentary history of the country.

Referring to the comments made by some Awaml League members about his presence during the time of the oath taking by Mr. Anwar Hossain. Mr. Chowdhury said, though Mr. Hossain belonged the past autocratic government, he thought it appropriate to protect the right of an MP-elect for taking his oath.

In this connection. Mr Chowdhury pointed out to the long standing tradition of bond of fraternity among the politicians tn the country even though they belonged to opposite platforms.

Quoting his personal experiences. Mr. Chowdhury said his father (Fazlul Quadir Chowdhury) and the father of the Leader of th? Opposition had intimate personal relationship though they had differing political views. He said when the late Sheikh Mujlbur Rahman had visited Chittagong on political programmes, he sometimes used to take food at their (Chowdhury's) house and made speeches against his father's politics.

Similarly his father used to take food in the residence of the father of the leader of the opposition and then made speech at Paltan Maidan criticising the politics pursued by Sheikh Mujib.

In this context. Mr Chowdhury said, the members of the House both in Treasury and Opposition Benches might also share the glory of protecting the right of oath taking by Mr. Anwar Hossain.

Sk Fazlul Karim Selim

Taking the floor to make a personal explanation under article 274 of the Rules of Procedure. Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim (AL-GopalganJ) said he had met the former minister Anwar Hossain when he had been In the Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday. Sheikh Selim said he had a long personal friendship with Mr. Hossain and both of them were associated with newspaper industry.

He demanded a statement from the Leader of the House, who is in charge of the Home Ministry, on how Mr. Anwar Hossain had come to the House.

Zainal

Abedin Hazari

The Deputy Speaker then gave the floor to Mr. Zainal Abedin Hazari (AL-Fenl) to make his personal explanation regarding his (Hazari's) detention during the session of the jatiya Sangsad in 1986. He said the statement of Mr. Moudud Ahmed (JP-Noakhalllthat he (Hazari) was not under detention at that time was not true. Mr Hazari said he was under detention, and it was withdrawn when the members of the opposition boycotted the session for three days.

Taking the floor. Mr.

Surunjit Sengupta (Oanatan-tree Party Sunamganj) said the privilege of the members of Parliament was applicable to all. He wanted to know if the protection given to Mr. Anwar Hossain was applicable to other absconding members also.

Mr. Tofael Ahmed (AL-Bhola) then took the floor and said he wanted protection for all Parliament members. I would like to see Mr. Anwar Hosaln in Parliament as a free man. he said.

Mr. Tofael Ahmed said the discussion on the oath taking of Mr. Anwar Hossain could be shortened. He demanded a statement on the issue from the Home Minister.

The Deputy Speaker said It is our responsibility to clarity the issue as we conducted the oath of office.”

Moudud Ahmed

As the House reassembled at 7.17 pm after the Maghreb prayer with the Deputy Speaker Sheikh Razzak All In the chair. Mr. Moudud Ahmed (JP-Noakhali) took the floor to clarify some points raised by Mr. Zainal Hazari (AL-Feni) he said it was true that his detention order was served after three day's of the arrest. "But I was not the Prime Minister as stated by Mr. Hazari. In fact. I was the Deputy Prime Minister at that time".

Referring to the statement of the Chief Whip. Mr Moudud Ahmed said he was invited by the Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina to tea the other day. He would again see her if the Leader of he Opposition-invited him onee again".

Taking the floor, Mr. Mohammad Nasim (AL-SiraJganJ) said. Mr. Moudud Ahmed on Sunday seemed to be very concerned about the rights and privileges of the opposition members but he was not so generous when he was tn the Treasury Bench.

Mr. Nasim said. Mr. Salahuddln Quader Chowdhury could forget what sorts of oppressions and atrocities "we had to face during the long nine years of Ershad's autocratic rule and during the mass upsurge which ousted the Ershad regime". Because, he said. Mr Chowdhury was not associated with the

Nasim

Mr. Nasim who Is also the opposition whip wanted to know from the chair as to how Mr. Anwar Hossain could manage to enter the House when there was a warrant of arrest against him. There was a drama staged here yesterday according to news items published by newspapers on Sunday

He said Mr. Anwar Hossain had impaired the dignity of the Sangsad members by coming to this house without facing the charges against him first He. however, said, we are here for upholding the rights and privileges of every member of the House.

Chief Whip Khondokar Delwar Hossain (BP-Manlkganj) then took the floor and said it seemed the controversy arising out of the appear ance of Anwar Hossain ended before the Maghreb break. "We have given our statements on the Issue." he said.

He said. "Law will take its own course and we do not like to interfere in it in any way and as such we do not like to give any directive to anybody.

Delwar Hossain said if there was any allegation or case against Anwar Hossain he would be tried. But as a Sangsad member he would get proper honour and enjoy his rights.

While giving his ruling on the question raised by some members in the House, as to how Sangsad member Anwar Hossain took oath after entering the Sangsad Bhaban without surrendering to the police though there was a detention order against him as per the Special Powers Act. the Deputy Speaker Sheikh Razzak Alt said, the Speaker had spoken on the question yesterday. So It was not expected to raise the question again today.

(Incomplete )