The Awaml League (AL) yesterday organised peasants' rallies at different districts to muster support for its 11 -point charter of demands aimed at "salvaging" the country's farming community.
On the occasion of the party's "Save Peasants, Save Nation Day" AL chief Sheikh Hasina yesterday sent a copy of the 11-point memorandum to the Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia .
The district branches of the AL also submitted copies of the memorandum, addressed to the Prime Minister on behalf of the party chief, to the various Deputy Commlsslonera (DCs) on the day. The memo contained demands Including Im-
mediate withdrawal of certificate cases and warrants of arrest against the farmers, reduction of agricultural Inputs' prices, etc. Lower rates of Interest on agri-loan, ensuring fair prices of agri-products, distribution of khas lands among the landless, end to "politicisation" In leasing out haats and bazars and waiving of interest on loans up to Taka 5,000 for cooperatives as per the PMs earlier commitment.
According to party sources, the main rally of the peasants was held at Lalmontrhat which was addressed by the AL* central leaders. Similar gatherings were also arranged In different other districts and thanas
where copies of the memorandum were submitted to the offices of the respective DCs and Thana Nirbahi Officers (TNOs).
A party press release said last night that police baton-charged a procession at Gazlpur while it was proceeding towards the DC's office for handing over the petition. Some 30 workers including women were hurt in the Incident, ft added.
It said the policemen also obstructed the procession, brought out after the farmers' rally. However, the memo was sent to the DC at the Initiative of the party leaders. The police action also prompted the AL unit at Gazlpur to organise a protest rally.
Reports from the districts said processions with banners inscribed with the day's slogan and various demands of the peasants converged on the venues of the rallies.
The peasants marched through the roads carrying ploughs, tedder, shovels, yokes and bags containing paddy and Jute.
The AL presidium members, Including Abdus Samad Azad, Begum Sajeda Choudhury, General Secretary Zillur Rahman, Joint Secretary Abdul Jail), Treasurer Ashlqur Rahman, Abdur Rouf, MP and some local leaders addressed the main rally of the peasants at Lalmontrhat.
The AL's district unit president Abul Hossain chaired the rally while Advocate Amlnur Rahman read out the declaration.
Abdus Samad Azad, In his speech, said the farmers had accepted the demands announced by Sheikh Hasina at the party's August 20 grand rally in Dhaka with a view to saving the county's farmers.
Azad accused the government of raising prices of agriInputs on several occasions. Besides, he alleged, the growers were deprived of Just prices of their products resulting In a
total collapse of the economic backbone of the peasants. The AL leader called for peasants' unity for implementation of the 11-point demands.
Addressing the rally, Sajeda Choudhury recalled the Banga-bandhu government's steps aimed at Improving the lot of the farmers. "He (Bangabandhu) wrote off loans and taxes ammounting to Tk 1000 crore". she said.
Zillur Rahman called for launching an anti-government agittion on the slogan "Save the Peasants, Save the Nation*.
Meanwhile, UNB adds: Hundreds of farmers. In response to the Awaml League's call, brought out procession in Rajbari yesterday.
The farmers, wearing straw hats and carrying ploughs, and led by local MP Kazi Keramat AH, held a rally in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office.
The rally was addressed, among others, by farmers' representatives. Karim Slkder and Nur Mohammad.
Later they also submitted a memorandum containing their 11-point demands to the DC.
In Sherpur Awaml League leader Matia Chowdhury, MP yesterday urged the government to meet farmers' demands, Including Increased subsidy to agriculture, lower prices of agricultural Inputs and bank loan (nr