BNP accuses police of foiling its demo

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has accused police of foiling their party's scheduled demonstration programmes in different parts of the country by attacking their leaders and activists. Speaking at a press conference in the party's Naya Paltan central office on Wednesday, Rizvi also claimed that at least 170 of their leaders and activists had been arrested by police, while around 250 more had been injured in the attacks. “Law enforcement officials attacked our peaceful programmes, charged batons and opened fire indiscriminately on our leaders and activists in Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Noakhali, Gaibandha, Lakshmipur, Sylhet, Barisal, Narayanganj and other parts in the country,” Rizvi said. He also alleged that the ruling party “cadres” attacked houses of BNP leaders and activists in some districts and vandalised their valuables. “We strongly protest and condemn such attacks and demand the release of those arrested,” the BNP leader said. The party announced on Monday to stage demonstrations across the country, including the capital, on Wednesday to protest the issuance of arrest warrant for party chief Khaleda Zia in an arson case. Rizvi alleged that the government had again started the mass arrest of BNP leaders and activists because it was afraid of losing power. He further said the government was trying to eliminate its opponents by filing “false” cases against BNP leaders and activists, sending them to jail and making them disappear. The BNP leader said a warrant for Khaleda's arrest had been issued by “using the court” in a “false” case only to demoralise her and weaken the BNP. “If you [the government] think she [Khaleda] can be demotivated by this arrest warrant, you are mistaken. She is courageous enough to face all your unjust acts. Nothing you do can subdue her,” he said. Rizvi demanded immediate withdrawal of the arrest warrant and the cases filed against Khaleda in Comilla. Earlier on Monday, a Comilla court issued warrants for the arrest of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and 45 other leaders and activists in a case filed in connection with a petrol bomb attack on a bus in Chauddagram upazila in on February 3, 2015. Eight people were killed after a group of miscreants hurled a petrol bomb on the bus during a movement by BNP-led alliance.