Human rights activists urge politicians to stop violence

The human rights activists have urged politicians to restrain their supporters from unleashing violence immediately and not to ruin general people's lives in the name of politics.

They also requested the government to take strict step in order to ensure the security and safety of the general people.

They came up with the call while addressing a protest rally under the banner of Bangladesh Manobadhikar Commission at the National Shaheed Minar premises around 11am Saturday.

Among others, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman, Honorary Member Professor Mahfuza Khanom, Mahila Parishad General Secretary Maleka Banu and Dhaka University Shikkhok Samity President Professor Farid Uddin were present in the protest.

The speakers have called upon the political leaders to stop violent activities, stage peaceful political programmes and withdraw all types programmes before the SSC exams.

Mizanur Rahman said: “No one has ever succeeded by declaring war against the people. I beg you (politicians), please do not ruin the lives of common people.”

The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been enforcing nationwide non-stop roads and waterways blockade since January 5.

The BNP claimed that at least 21 opposition men were killed more than 150,000 alliance leaders and activists faced cases.

The blockade has been called in protest against the confinement of the party chief Khaleda Zia.

Khaleda Zia has been kept confined to her Gulshan party office since January 3 ahead of a party rally, marking “Democracy Killing Day.”

On January 12, the security was relaxed.

But Khaleda never came out; instead she said in a press conference that she was going to stay there and the blockade would continue unless the government took the first steps towards solution.

The relaxed blockade is underway across the country amid sporadic incidents of violence, arson attacks, vandalism and arrests of BNP members.

So far, more than 35 people have died and scores have been injured in different parts of the country in violence, which mostly involved arson attacks.

Political tensions between the Awami League-led Government and the BNP-led 20-party alliance have been increased in January 2015 on the first anniversary of the January 5, 2014 parliamentary elections, which the BNP boycotted.