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Journalism of Courage
DHAKA, July 12: At least 100 people were injured in a series of clashes between the ruling Awami League and main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) near the world’s 11th longest bridge over river Jamuna here.
The clashes occurred following a row between the two political rivals over who should take the credit for constructing the bridge, inaugurated recently by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Independent daily said today.
The condition of ten people, including the president of the BNP’s student wing, was reportedly serious.
The billion-dollar bridge, integrating the eastern part of Bangladesh with the country’s western region, is named Bangabandhu after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, much to the chagrin of the BNP.
While Opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia accused the Hasina Government of “hijacking” her party’s credit for constructing the bridge, the Prime Minister said that the construction was a “political committment” for the Awami League.
“It was the BNP government that made theconstruction of the bridge possible by mobilising necessary funds from various donors,” Begum Zia said yesterday at a rally, adding her party deserved 100 per cent credit for the bridge.
However, Sheikh Hasina claimed that about three-fourth of the bridge was completed during her rule and that the government has introduced railway track, gas and electric line along with the bridge.
“A separate cell has also been formed for ensuring development of the country’s northern region,” she said.
Former president General Hussain Muhammad Ershad has also claimed the credit for construction of the bridge saying that he was the first to move files and talk to donors.
