Those who siphon off money are ‘state thugs’: Dr Kamal

Stating that those who indulge in money laundering are "state thugs", Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday urged all to get united to establish "effective democracy" in the country to get rid of "plundering, fascism and anarchy".

"Thousands of crores of taka are being siphoned off abroad from the country. Such money laundering is a robbery at the state level and those involved in it are state thugs. We must get united to bring back the siphoned off money," he said.

Speaking at a discussion, he also sought an explanation from the government about how huge amount of money is being siphoned off and its reasons. "What is the source of power of those involved in money laundering?" he said.

Gonoforum arranged the programme at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity, marking the Shaheed Day and International Mother Language Day.

Dr Kamal, also the convener of Jatiya Oikyafront, said those who have been in power by force are indulging in plundering and money laundering. "The way we catch robbers with united efforts in rural areas, now we have to catch the state thugs the same way."

He said the "illegal usurpers" of power do not dare to hold a free and fair election.

The Gonoforum chief said the corrupt people cannot claim that they are the owners of the country. "All people are the owners of the country and they must behave as owners do and establish their rights…Those who capture power for a temporary period by destroying democracy abuse power and siphon off money. So, we all must remain united to establish effective democracy in the country."

He said those who tried to divide people using money, religion and communalism in the past were unsuccessful. "We have no reason to be disappointed since we'd liberated the country based on people's unity. There might have disunity among us over various issues, but we must retain the unity over basic issues."

Dr Kamal said Oikyafront's aim is to organise people to get back their rights and ownership of the country.

"That is why we need to forge unity at all localities and villages. The autocrats could never prevail when people got united. Anything can be achieved with unity. So, we'll have to consolidate our unity, and the young generation must move forward in this regard," he observed.