The 14th anniversary of Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s release from prison was observed today.

On this day in 2008, Sheikh Hasina was released from the special sub-jail set up on the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Building after remaining captive there for nearly 11 months.

The Awami League president was arrested from her Sudha Sadan residence at Dhanmondi on July 16, 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government, which assumed power in the political changeover of 1/11 in 2007.

As Sheikh Hasina fell sick during her captivity, demands were raised then from different quarters including the Awami League and its associate bodies to send her abroad for better medical treatment after releasing her from jail.

Conceding to the people’s spontaneous and repeated demands and pressure from different quarters, the caretaker government was compelled to release Sheikh Hasina from jail.

In the national election of December 29 in 2008, the Awami League-led grand alliance registered a landslide victory with a two-thirds majority in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina became the Prime Minister for the second term.

On the occasion of the day, special prayers, milad-mahfil, discussion and food distribution among the distressed people were arranged wishing long life and good health to the premier.

Marking the day, the leaders of Awami League and its associate bodies greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by presenting her with bouquets.

Senior AL leaders led by the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader first greeted Sheikh Hasina by handing over a bouquet to her followed by the leaders of associate organisations of the party.

Senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office also greeted the premier by handing over a bouquet.

Later, leaders of Dhaka North City AL, Dhaka South City AL, Awami Jubo League, Chhatra League, Sechchhasebak League, Jatiya Sramik League, Krishak League, Mohila Awami League, Jubo Mohila League and Bangabandhu Awami Ainjibi Parishad greeted the prime minister by presenting her with bouquets separately.

A milad and prayer mahfil was held at the party’s central office at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue here in the afternoon on the initiative of Awami League.

It was attended, among others, by the party’s general secretary Obaidul Quader, presidium members Kazi Zafarullah, Dr Abdur Razzaque, Shahjahan Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Joint General Secretaries Mahabub-ul-Alam Hanif and Dr Dipu Moni, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain and SM Kamal Hossain, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap,

Industries and Commerce Secretary Siddiqur Rahman, Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, Labor and Manpower Affairs Secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj, Relief and Social Welfare Secretary Sujit Roy Nandi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplob Barua and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan.

Meanwhile, the Dhaka South City unit of Awami League organized a milad and doa-mahfil at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque here after Asr prayers on the occasion.

Dhaka South City unit of Awami League President Abu Ahmed Mannafi, Vice-presidents Sharfuddin Ahmed Sentu and Hedayetul Islam Swapan, Joint general secretaries Md Miraj Hossain and Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi and Organizing Secretaries Md Akhter Hossain and Golam Sarwar Kabir attended it, among others.