BNP voices concern over recent killings

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Saturday voiced deep concern over the recent killing of six people in Rangamati, saying it has exposed the Awami League-led government's 'misrule'.

"Six people, including a public representative Shaktiman Chakma, were killed in Rangamati while Narsingdi's Banshbari Union Parishad chairman Sirajul Haque was also shot dead in broad daylight. These incidents are the awful examples of Awami misrule," said BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP's Naya Paltan central office, he also said the government is responsible for these bloody incidents. "We strongly condemn and protest at the killings in Rangamati and Narsingdi."

Rangamti's Naniarchar Upazila chairman Shaktiman Chakma was gunned down on Thursday, while five of his supporters were killed on Friday in a gun attack on a microbus on their way to his funeral.

Sirajul Haque was killed as a group of miscreants opened fire on him on his way back home from the Raipura upazila headquarters, Narsigndi on Thursday afternoon.

Rizvi said people across the country are now suffering from a sense of insecurity due to the government's failure to maintain the law and order. "People will have no security as long as this regime remains in power."

He said though their party has long been voicing deep concern over their chairperson Khaleda Zia's falling health, the government is not taking any step to ensure her better treatment.

The BNP leader renewed their party's demand for allowing Khaleda to receive treatment at the capital's United Hospital.

He alleged police continued to arrest BNP leaders and activists in polls-bound Khulna and Gazipur as part of their desperate efforts to ensure victory of the ruling party candidates in the two city elections.

Rizvi said the government is not willing to hold a fair election in the two cities to avoid its debacle.