The BNP yesterday demanded that the government clarify the Times of India’s report that the Indian intelligence agency picked up a Pakistani intelligence agent from Bangladesh airport.
“A report was published in an Indian English daily which reported that the Indian intelligence agency – RAW – picked up a Pakistani intelligence agent of the ISI from Bangladesh airport. We want an explanation from the government about this.”
“What is the government’s view? Is the Times of India right?” questioned BNP’s acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Fakhrul was addressing a discussion hosted by Swechchasebak Dal at the National Press Club in the city.
He said if the news was correct, then how could an intelligence agency of another country pick up an individual from this country and how could an agent of another country enter Bangladesh?
According to the report, Indian Mujahideen’s Pakistani operative Zia-ur Rehman, alias Waqas, was picked up by the Indian intelligence agency.
Waqas had been hiding in Bangladesh and was supposed to leave for Pakistan via Nepal when he was apprehended by the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing.
Fakhrul said an undeclared Baksal system was prevailing in the country.
Regarding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s claim that BNP is illegal, Fakhrul said, “After the formation of Baksal in 1975, there was only one political party. When Ziaur Rahman assumed the office and introduced the multiparty democracy, Awami League had its rebirth.”
Meanwhile, at a press briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan headquarters, Fakhrul said they would start their long-march programme towards the Teesta Barrage on April 22 to press home their demand for proper share of water from neighbouring India.
The party will start the programme around 8am from Dhaka on April 22 and hold a rally in Rangpur around 4pm on the same day.
