Dhaka: Ruling Awami League joint secretary general Mahbubul Alam Hanif said no one is above law and police can detain anyone indicating that even BNP chief Khaleda Zia could be arrested in required for maintaining law and order situation.

“Police can arrest anyone if he or she violates law as no one is above the law,” he added.

"None is above the law . . . If anybody breaches laws, he will be brought to justice," he said

He came up with the observation while addressing an anti-hartal rally in front of the party’s central office in the city’s Bangabandhu Avenue on Tuesday. 

Pointing finger at Khaleda Zia without mentioning her name, Hanif said, “BNP chief has to take responsibility for the ongoing countrywide violence and anarchy unleashed by anti-liberation forces.”

Hanif alleged that the defeated force of 1971 is creating anarchy in the country to make Bangladesh a failed state.

Hanif, also special assistant to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said BNP will be held responsible for creating anarchy, vandalism, arson and other destructive activities what they are doing in the name of hartal programme.

He also urged the opposition BNP to join parliament.

He also called upon the opposition leader and BNP chairperson to join the parliament to speak about their demands.

"But BNP lawmakers are enjoying all privileges and benefits as parliament members (MPs) without participating in the parliament sessions," Hanif alleged.

He categorically urged the BNP to join the parliament session if they really want a solution to the political stalemate causing sufferings to the common people throughout the country.

Awami League joint general secretary and state minister for local government Jahangir Kabir Nanak, organising secretaries -- Ahmed Hossain, Khaled Mahmud Chowdhury and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, information and research secretary Advocate Afzal Hossain, labour secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj, Dhaka city unit Awami League acting president MA Aziz and general secreretary Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Swechchasebak League general secretary Pankaj Devnath , among others, spoke at the rally.

Ends/AMA/11/12/12