The ruling alliance's MPs and leaders have criticised Khaleda Zia for making a statement echoing Pakistan on the 1971 martyrs. They said she was doing this to please her "beloved Pakistan". They branded the BNP chairperson as a "traitor", and vowed to resist those who are involved in anti-state activities. They said there is no room for anti-Liberation forces in the country. The AL-led alliance's MPs and leaders were addressing a human chain, organised at 4:00pm yesterday (Monday)  from in the city’s Gabtali bus-stand area to the Jatrabari bus-stand. It was in protest against Khaleda Zia’s recent statement on the martyrs and Pakistan’s interference in the internal affairs of Bangladesh. At Russel’s Square, the AL advisory council member and commerce minister, Tofail Ahmed, said those who want to save war criminals, create a controversy regarding the number of 1971 martyrs. They are traitors and enemies of the nation. People should resist these forces, he added. “No one can defeat us if we remain united. We achieved victory during the Liberation War, defeating the Pakistani occupation forces. This time too we will be victorious. The defeated forces will remain defeated,” he said.
Addressing the human chain at another point, AL presidium member Obaidul Quader said there is no room for anti-Liberation forces on the soil of Bangladesh. Criticising Khaleda Zia, he said her statement on martyrs was utter rubbish. People would not tolerate any comment that goes against the spirit of the Liberation War, he said. The 14-party coordinator and AL presidium member, Mohammad Nasim, criticised Pakistan for interfering in the internal affairs of the country. He warned that ties with Pakistan would be cut off if that country did not stop such activities. He also castigated Khaleda Zia for making a statement echoing Pakistan that three million people were not martyred during the 1971 Liberation War. She should apologise to the nation for making such a remark, he added. The AL-led 14-party alliance announced that it would organise another human chain across the country, barring the capital, on February 24 on the same issue.