Dhaka – Accusing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of instigating violence, opposition BNP on Thursday said she must shoulder the responsibility
for the attacks on the family members of the opposition leaders and activists and their business institutions and houses.
“The Prime Minister’s remarks about the security of opposition leaders and activists and their business organisations and houses are
provocative. Such remarks by any head of government are not only incompatible but also shameful for the nation,” said senior BNP leader
Nazrul Islam Khan.
The BNP leader brought the allegation while addressing a press briefing at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office about the third day of
the 18-party’s 72-hour blockade that ends at 6am on Friday.
Nazrul, also a BNP standing committee member, came down hard on the Prime Minister for her remarks that the nation has got freed from
curse by not casting their ballots in favour of the opposition.
“People believe that they themselves (Prime Minister and her party-led 14-party leaders) have got cursed by making 154 candidates of Awami
League and grand alliance of winners unopposed in the so-called election as part of their dirty plan,” he observed.
The BNP leader continued: “We think the government and the Election Commission has stigmatised the entire election process wit that curse.
It’s the Prime Minister who has to bear the stigma of the course for ever. ”
He also accused the government of increasing its repressive acts on the opposition leaders and activists across the country to cling to
power against people’s will.
“The government on one hand is staging a drama of a farcical election and on the other increasing the killing, arrest and repressive acts
across the country. They’re using the state institutions and government forces against people,” Nazrul told reporters.
This situation cannot be continued, he said adding that no evil design and evil force will be able to prevent people from carrying out their
movement.
Nazrul claimed people with their spontaneous participation made the blockade programme a success.
He said ruling party ‘cadres’ hacked to death local Jubo Dal leader Afzal Khan at Morelganj in Bagerhart on Wednesday evening.
Besides, the BNP policymaker claimed, about 722 opposition leaders and activists were injured in attacks by law enforcers and ruling party
men across the country during the third day of the blockade.
Police arrested at least 533 opposition leaders and activists and filed cases against around 3,000 others all over the country during
the period. – UNB
