Accusing the government of being behind extra-judicial killings in the country, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday claimed that the party’s fears of a so-called “crossfire” killing of Chhatra Dal’s Satkhira leader Azharul Islam had come true.
“We feared that Azharul Islam might be killed, and our fear came true: His body was found early this morning [yesterday],” Fakhrul alleged at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters in the capital.
Earlier at a press briefing on Sunday, BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon expressed concerns over the rise in extrajudicial killings, and raised concerns over the arrest of Azharul on Saturday.
On Sunday Ripon said, “He [Azharul] is yet to be produced in front of the court. We fear a “cross-fire” incident might be staged to kill him tonight.”
At yesterday’s press briefing, the party alleged that the “planned dramas” of extra-judicial killings were a threat to the country’s democracy.
“No citizen is safe in the country if these extra-judicial killings are allowed to carry on,” Fakhrul said; citing Monday’s “gunfight” in Satkhira between Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal activists and joint forces members which left Azharul dead.
The spokesperson of the party urged journalists to highlight such stories in the media; for the sake of the people’s safety and the country’s democracy.
The BNP leader also said the government should take steps to create a democratic atmosphere in the country; through dialogue after the dissolution of the “illegal” parliament.
Fakhrul claimed that extrajudicial killings have been taking place across the country under the guise of joint forces drives. “A raft of criminal activities have taken place across the country. More than a hundred leaders and activists have been killed across the country in this way,” he said.
Urging the government to stop the extrajudicial killings, Fakhrul said: “We cannot sit silent. If anyone tells the truth and opposes the government, they are picked up and then killed.”
Before the briefing, a joint meeting of the party’s front organisations took place to arrange the January 29 black flag procession programme.