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Pro-BNP lawyers defend clemency to Jhintu

Vow to resist opposition 'anarchy'

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
Jatiyatabadi Ainjibi Forum (JAF), a platform for pro-BNP lawyers, yesterday defended the presidential clemency granted to ruling BNP leader Mohiuddin Jhintu, a double-murder convict sentenced to death by a martial law court.
Addressing a grand rally of lawyers on the Supreme Court Bar Council (SCBA) premises, the Forum leaders accused the pro-Awami League lawyers of creating 'anarchy' in the judiciary for political gains.
JAF leaders at the rally announced a six-point resolution in which they vowed to go ahead with counter programmes to resist
Sammilita Ainjibi Samannay Parishad, a forum of the opposition lawyers.
Yesterday's gathering was held amid tension between two factions of pro-BNP lawyers. The faction led by Communications Minister Nazmul Huda was bitterly opposed to holding the rally while the other one led by Telecoms Minister Aminul Haq was determined to press ahead with the programme.
Huda did not join the grand assembly of the ruling party lawyers. But State Minister for Law Shahjahan Omar, who was visibly in favour of the Huda-faction, was present and delivered speech.
Speaking as the chief guest, Law,
Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed described the presidential amnesty to Jhintu as 'based on the constitution'.
He said, "Jhintu was tried in a martial law court where he was deprived of his right to self defence and appeal against the verdict."
Moudud also claimed that Jhintu's name was not included even in the first information report (FIR) and there was no witness against him.
"If an aggrieved person, who was tried in the martial law court, now comes to the government with a plea for clemency, we will consider
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that," he said, adding that the president had practised his constitutional power while giving clemency to Jhintu.
Moudud said pro-opposition lawyers have violated the rule of law and tarnished the image and dignity of the judiciary by burning copy of the High Court judgement prohibiting demonstrations on the court premises.
Criticising the on-going movement by the pro-opposition lawyers, the law minister said the lawyers loyal to Samannay Parishad are trying to make an issue of the presidential pardon to Jhintu and plunge the judiciary into anarchy.
Billing JAF as the main platform for the pro-BNP lawyers, he urged all to unite in opposition to the 'conspiracy' of the opposition parties.
Forum's Secretary General Aminul Haq said the opposition parties are trying to create 'anarchy' in the judiciary as part of their 'larger conspiracy' against the country.
Referring to the Wednesday's outburst of conflict between the two factions of pro-BNP lawyers, he said. "There may have differences of opinion among us. But we should not do anything that might benefit the opposition parties."
He described the Forum as the 'parent organisation' and said there is no doubt among the lawyers about it and its significance.
JAF leader Khandker Mahbubuddin Ahmad said there is no room for questioning the presidential clemency to Jhintu as it has been done by dint of the authority bestowed upon the president by the constitution.
Regarding the High Court verdict banning rallies and processions on the court premises, he said, "Our judges have showed a lot of patience. If I were them, I would have issued the rule even earlier."
"If the recent Awami Leaguebacked lawyers' rally on the Bar Association premises does not come under contempt rule then why should ours be considered contempt of court," said Mahbubuddin, also the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs.
Ainjibi Forum Advisory Committee Member and former speaker in the Jatiya Sangsad Shaikh Razzak Ali said the proopposition lawyers are plotting against the law minister on the pretext of the presidential amnesty. He also alleged that a vested quarter is out to harm the Forum.
"Forum and only Forum represents the lawyers who believe in Jatiyatabadi ideology. We know no other organisation other than the Ainjibi Forum," he observed.
He alleged that the media have blown up out of proportion the differences of opinion among the pro-BNP lawyers.
Referring to the recent escalation of conflict between two groups of pro-BNP lawyers, Forum leader Ziaur Rahman Khan said, "Huge participation by the lawyers has ended the drama of last two days."
Shahjahan Omar said the movement of pro-opposition lawyers is aimed at nothing but creating anarchy in the judiciary.
"The Awami League lawyers want a judiciary by the Awami League, for the Awami League and of the Awami League," he observed.
The six-point resolution read out by Khandker Mahbubuddin Ahmad MP said meetings will be held at every district bar to strengthen the Ainjibi forum. It also calls for all district units to hold election and form committees within September 30. The resolution said the Forum will hold another grand rally within October 30.
Presided over by JAF President Advocate TH Khan, the rally was addressed, among others by Advocates Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Mujibur Rahman and Sanaullah Miah. Leaders of the Forum's different district units addressed the rally at the second session. Organisers claimed that more than 3,000 lawyers from Dhaka and across the country attended the rally.