Hasina returns home

Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina returned home yesterday after a 25-day private visit to the U.S. and the U.K.

She lambasted the government for scrapping national mourning day on August 15 and banning the national flag from being flown at half-mast that day.

"It's a manifestation of solidarity with the killers of independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was killed on August 15, 1975.

"The government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia wants to protect the heinous killers. There is a question to the people: What is the relation between the Prime Minister and Bangabandhu's killers?" she said.

Hasina told reporters at the airport that when people last observed August 15 as mourning day, Khaleda celebrated her "false birthday".

The former prime minister quashed allegations of corruption against her in the purchase of MiG 29s from Russia and a navy frigate from South Korea.

She said her government had saved $165 million while buying eight MiG 29s and also saved money in buying the frigate.

"The present government is planning to sell the MiG 29s and buy latest aircraft to take kickbacks," Hasina said.