DHAKA: The ruling Awami League Saturday kicked off two-day protest programmes against the torching and vandalizing of vehicles and Faruque killing centering the June 27 hartal sponsored by the BNP-led mainstream opposition.

The programmes are being staged in the metropolitan cities and district headquarters Saturday. The similar protests will take place in thana and upazila headquarters Sunday, said a party press release signed by AL deputy office secretary Mrinal Kanti Das.

The party urged people to make the programme a “success through greater participation”.

Deputy Office Secretary of the party’s Dhaka City unit Shahidul Islam Milon told banglanews24.com.bd that they would hold a rally at Bangabandhu Avenue at 4pm to protest Furuque’s murder. A series of programmes would continue the next day.

Faruque Hossain died at Dhaka Medical College Hospital early Thursday, after suffering fatal burn injuries since a car was torched on the night before the June 27 hartal.

Party presidium member and Deputy Leader of the House Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury is expected to address the rally as chief guest.

“Senior leaders of the party are also expected to address the rally,” Milon said.  

BDST 0900HRS JULY 3, 2010