January 27, 2003	Monday	Ziqa’ad 23,1423

DHAKA, Jan 26: The eighth Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) went into its sixth session on Sunday, amidst the opposition’s boycott.

The order of the day included President Prof. Iajuddin Ahmed’s first speech to the parliament.

Besides, the treasury bench tabled the controversial indemnity ordinance providing impunity to those involved in the army-led ‘Operation Clean Heart’, that left more than 40 people killed.

“We have boycotted the presidential speech in protest against the promulgation of the indemnity ordinance by the president,” Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition, told reporters.

“No civilized society can encourage killing of human beings, but this President endorsed an ordinance supporting as many as 53 killings in custody.”