BNP- sponsored killing group behind Zafar attack: Quader
Ruling Bangladesh Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Monday called the attack on SUST professor Muhammed Zafar Iqbal as an act of communal evil force's target “killing group backed by BNP”, reports UNB.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has long been the arch enemy of the ruling AL in the race of power.
"It was a targeted attack. The attackers are members of the target killing group of a communal evil force, and BNP is its backer," said Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, while speaking at a meeting organised at the Nagar Bhaban in the run-up to Awami League's planned 7 March rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.
In another programme, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Javed Patwary, however, said the attacker on professor Zafar is a “self-radicalised militant”.
The ruling party leader urged BNP to stop “patronising evil forces”. "People will give you a befitting reply through ballots in the next polls if you continue abetting the evil forces."
Disapproving of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's allegation that Awami League is trying to hide Zafar's attackers, he said they arrested the attacker instantly and will expose those involved in it. "What did we hide since we arrested the attacker immediately?"
Quader said they also ensured better treatment for Zafar and the prime minister is monitoring it.
Earlier on Sunday, Quader said the attack on Zafar was made by BNP-sponsored conspirators.
In his party's reaction later, the BNP secretary general termed 'irresponsible' Quader's comment and said it is the ruling party's evil attempt to hide the perpetrators.