Fakhrul breaks down at press conference

The BNP leader was visibly emotional during the speech where he had to pause and gather himself. Fakhrul mentioned a recent incident to describe the current situation saying: “I was sitting in traffic one day when a hawker came up to me and said that he used to do BNP politics in Lakshmipur but he was forced to escape to Dhaka.” He got visibly upset relaying this incident prompting the audience to silence. The BNP leader said: “What a terrible time we are living through where people are being abducted or are going missing without a trace.” “Did we fight the war for this?” Fakhrul lamented. Fakhrul said: “Many BNP offices in district levels are under lock and key. Sometimes plain clothed police arrest BNP leaders and activists from the office.” Addressing the attending leaders and activists, the BNP leader said: “You have to turn this around if you really want a real democracy.” Association of Engineers Bangladesh organised a discussion in Dhaka Reporters Unity protesting the shutdown of online newsportals and demanding the release of Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh.