AL leader accuses PM of not rescuing fishermen

Dhaka, Sep 24 (UNI) Launching a scathing attack on Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Opposition Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina today accused her of being busy protecting her ''ill-gotten'' family wealth in Bangkok instead of taking necessary measures in rescuing the disaster-stricken fishermen in the Bay.

''Ms Khaleda's family has business with (deposed) Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They have made a huge property in Thailand and siphoned off money there. Her family was perhaps more concerned about protecting that money in Thailand after their illegal money had been seized in Malaysia,'' she claimed in the Parliament.

Ms Hasina blamed Ms Khaleda for her government's failure in issuing early warning of the storms caused by a depression in the Bay, which lashed the coastal districts on September 19, evacuating people and rescuing missing fishermen.

Rescuers have so far recovered nearly 100 bodies of fishermen and many are still missing in the Bay of Bengal following the storm last Tuesday night. Local newspaper reported that many bodies were seen floating in the Bay.

''But the Prime Minister looks unconcerned. Instead of visiting storm-hit districts, she is flying helicopters addressing her election rallies,'' Ms Hasina told the House.

Showing newspaper reports, the Opposition leader said hundreds of bodies were either floating in the Bay or being eaten by dogs and foxes. ''But the government has no duty and responsibility as they are now engrossed in making money and smuggling outside the country,''she alleged.

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