Alleging that the country has turned into a death valley, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday urged the political parties, civil society members, professional bodies and business men to take to the streets to stop killings, abductions and forced disappearances.
“Not only Narayanganj, the entire country today has become a death valley. There is no scope of seeing someone as big or small. We all are equal. We have to take to the streets to bring back democracy to the country,” she said.
BNP Dhaka city unit organised a fasting programme at the National Press Club in the capital yesterday protesting the killing, abduction and forced disappearances and filing of false cases against Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. Khaleda joined the programme around 4:30pm and expressed “solidarity”.
Only a few senior leaders and some supporters of the party gathered at the venue when the programme began at 9am. Around 12:45pm, only standing committee members RA Gani, Jamiruddin Sircar and Abdul Moyeen Khan and the party’s acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were present on the stage; the other leaders by then had left the place.
However, after 2pm, leaders and activists again thronged the venue. By the time Khaleda Zia arrived, the place was full of BNP leaders and activists.
Although it was a hunger strike, vendors could be seen ferrying snacks, cucumbers, water bottles, groundnuts, cigarettes and other food items. Activists could be seen eating outside the venue.
Khaleda said the government had been involved in all sorts of illegal activities and that it had no control on anything. “No one is listening to anyone. No one is obeying anyone.”
Talking on the abduction of seven people in Narayanganj, the former premier asked the government to inform people about those involved with the crime and why action had not been taken against the criminals.
“The government did not take any action against the killers because they belong to the ruling party,” she alleged.
Regarding law enforcers’ raid to the residence of accused Noor Hossain, Khaleda said: “Noor Hossain is a criminal. Why did then police raid his house seven days after the incident? This illegitimate Awami League government must answer where he is. People want to see him behind bars.”
Referring to a national daily, Khaleda said a special force was involved with the killings and abductions.
Narrating a “gloomy picture” of the law and order situation, the BNP chief said the country had been weeping and the government’s hands were stained in blood. “The longer the illegitimate killer government remains in office, the more blood will be shed.”
Khaleda said if meetings and processions did not work, then a tough movement would be waged to compel the government to meet the demand for an election under non-partisan interim government.
“So, do not compel us to wage any tough movement. Take initiative and hold elections under a non-partisan government,” she warned.
The former prime minister alleged that RAB had been exploited for partisan interests and its image had been tarnished. The elite crime busting force was formed in 2004 when the BNP was in power.
Asking the government to abandon HM ERshad, Khaleda said: “Ershad killed Monjur and Ziaur Rahman. He has to face trial.”
After her speech, Khaleda broke the fasting of Mirza Fakhrul Islam ALamgir by giving him water to drink.
