Extrajudicial killings are on an alarming rise after the Awami League assumed power through the ‘one-sided’ election, the BNP has alleged. The party urged the human-rights organisations at home and abroad to speak out against such killings.
“Law enforcers, along with Awami League cadres, have been cruelly torturing Opposition leaders and activists,” the BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon said at a press briefing on Sunday.Three activists of the Jamaat-e-Islami – two in Satkhira and one in Jhenidah – had died allegedly as they fought law enforcers with guns.
Of the three, ‘Abul Kalam’ and ‘Rashedul’ had been picked up in Satkhira on Jan 23. Their bodies were shown on Saturday, Ripon said.
Likewise, Azharul Haq, President of the BNP’s Islamkati Union Pariashad in Satkhira’s Tala Upazila, had been detained, he said.
“The joint forces have kept him in custody without taking him to court. We fear a crossfire drama may be staged after killing him.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had on Saturday advised BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go to Pakistan if she did not feel like living here.
Protesting against this, BNP leader Ripon said on Sunday, “We protest against and condemn this speech of hers.”
“This is unbecoming of her. The BNP will never say like a Hindi song – Dil Me Hindustan, Prime Minister, go to India. The BNP has no such culture.”
He also urged the government for reconciliation, paving the way for a fresh election.
About Rana Plaza victims, he said it was reported that Rana Plaza victims had received their compensation. Yet they, along with their families, were in hardship.
He demanded the government publish a white paper on compensation for the Rana Plaza victims and the account of the funds the government has received to help out the victims.
“Our garment industry will be subjected to scrutiny from the world if the victims are not rehabilitated properly.”
He doubted whether owners of the garment factories and local MPs, responsible for the tragedy, would be tried at all. – bdnews24.com
