Bangladesh court sentences 9 to death for attacking PM Hasina 25 years ago
Dhaka: A Bangladeshi court on Wednesday sentenced nine activists of a BNP-led alliance to death and 25 others to life in prison for attacking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 25 years ago when she was the Opposition leader.
Hasina was leading a nationwide campaign by rail when her coach came under attack upon arriving in Pabna's Ishwardy on September 23, 1994.
Hasina survived the assault carried out during Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia's first term as prime minister.
A Pabna court sentenced nine people to death and 25 others to life in prison for attacking the train, media reports said. Additional Sessions Judge Rostom Ali also jailed 13 people for 10 years.
The railway police, as plaintiff, initiated a case against 135 people in connection with the incident.
But the investigation hit a snag during the BNP's rule before picking up speed once the Awami League formed government in 1996, reports said.
Police later submitted a charge sheet against 52 accused at the end of the probe.
After the verdict, local BNP activists held a protest on the court premises while ruling Awami League supporters and activists held separate procession expressing satisfaction over the judgement.
The judgement came on a day when Hasina arrived in Beijing on an official visit.
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Karnataka to convene joint legislative session from Jan 22 to 31 to discuss MGNREGA
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka cabinet on Wednesday decided to convene a joint session of the state legislature from January 22 to 31, where the repeal of MGNREGA by the Centre will be discussed.
While the Congress government initially planned a two-day special session to discuss the repeal of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which the Centre replaced with Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB—G RAM G), State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil explained that the format was changed due to constitutional requirements.
Briefing reporters, Patil said due to a technical reason, the government is convening a joint session and not a special session.
“The joint session (of Karnataka Legislature) will be held from January 22 to 31. Holidays will be announced by the Speaker.”
Quoting Article 176, he said the Constitution very specifically mentions and mandates the Governor's address on the first day of the session after the election or the first session of each year.
“In view of this technical reason, in fact, we are advancing the session. Instead of a special session, it will be a joint session until further session."
“In the federal system if the rights of the people of our state are snatched, government will not sit idle, it cannot avoid calling a session. Hence, to create awareness and to restore the MGNREGA we will make efforts to put appropriate pressure on the Centre,” the Minister said.
