Around 300 leaders and activists of BNP and its associate bodies injured in attack by police, says Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
UNB: The BNP on Thursday demanded the removal of Habiganj police superintendent (SP) and two officers-in-charge (OCs) for reportedly attacking the party’s rally.
Speaking at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also announced a two-day protest program in Sylhet division for Friday and Saturday in protest of the police’s action during the Habiganj rally on Wednesday.
Police had “illegally sprayed around 1,200 bullets”, UNB quoted the party as alleging.
“At the behest of Habiganj SP SM Murad Ali and two OCs Masuk Ali and Nazmul Ahsan, police indiscriminately charged batons, lobbed teargas shells and sprayed bullets on BNP leaders and activists at the peaceful rally without any provocation,” Fakhrul said.
The BNP leader claimed that around 300 leaders and activists of their party and its associate bodies were injured in the attack.
Of them, he said, 10 BNP leaders and activists have been receiving treatment at different hospitals in critical condition while the eyes of a leader were damaged.
Fakhrul said the attack and firing of shots by police was completely uncalled for. “The use of shotgun bullets is prohibited all over the world. Even after that, such bullets were used. We demand the immediate removal of SP Murad Ali and OCs Nazmul Ahsan and Masuk Ali.”
He also urged the government to bring the trio under trial through an impartial investigation.
Fakhrul alleged that the government has extremely squeezed the political space in the country in a planned way. “Our all programs are held in a peaceful manner. Peace is not harmed anywhere from the BNP side. But they’re obstructing our peaceful programs.”
He said the party staged six other rallies in six districts the same day peacefully, demanding party Chairperson Khaleda Zia be allowed to go abroad for treatment.
The BNP leader said people are showing their confidence in the movement by spontaneously participating in the BNP’s programs.
He warned that the government will never be able to suppress people’s ongoing movement demanding the “restoration” of democracy and Khaleda Zia’s treatment abroad by resorting to such repressive acts, killings and enforced disappearances.
Protest programs
Fakhrul said BNP leaders and activists will stage demonstrations in all upazilas under Sylhet division on Friday protesting the “barbaric” attack on their rally in Habiganj.
Besides, he said, a similar program will be observed in all districts under the division on Saturday.
BNP standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and chairperson’s adviser Zainul Abedin Farroque were present at the press conference.
