Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan yesterday said there has been no decision yet to arrest BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia although discussions were held in parliament over the matter only to alert her to stop violent politics.
The minister made the remarks at the 101th episode of BBC Bangladesh Sanglap held at Biam auditorium in the capital.
Accusing Khaleda Zia of fanning out the violence, Shajahan Khan said the party set off violence across the country despite promising a peaceful movement.
“Khaleda is liable for all the recent violent activities,” he claimed, adding that it is the responsibility of the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Apprehending BNP chairperson’s arrest, party standing committee member Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman said, “It’ll be a tough decision for the government …it’ll be an impudent decision …it’ll lead the country towards destruction.”
Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast), said law enforcers will decide whom to arrest or how to arrest. “But when the decision comes from parliament, the trust level on the application of law diminishes,” she said.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, demanded a proper investigation into the recent violent criminal incidents to establish the rule of law through judicial system. “Discussions in parliament crying for the arrest of Khaleda Zia create a negative notion in public mind.”