BNP
Govt-backed syndicate behind price hike of essentials: Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday voiced deep worries over the growing price hike of essentials and alleged that a government-backed syndicate is behind it.
"We’re very worried that the prices of essential commodities, including rice, pulses and salt, have already gone up ahead of the Ramadan,” he said at a virtual press conference.
The BNP leader said, “The government has failed to control the market as it’s involved with the syndicate that raises prices. The government-backed people have made the syndicate for increasing the prices.”
Also read: Prices in kitchen markets on the up ahead of Ramadan
Fakhrul alleged that BNP leaders and activists are being arrested and implicated in cases as part of a ruling party plot to eliminate the party and thwart its ongoing movement.
He also presented statistics on the filing of cases in different places against BNP leaders and activists over the last few days.
The BNP leader criticised the government for arresting their party executive committee member advocate Nipun Roy charge of involvement in the recent violence.
“Nipun Roy is a working lawyer, an active human rights activist and a conscious politician. She can’t have any involvement in any terrorist activities. It's a completely conspiratorial and fabricated and false charge,” Fakhrul said.
Also read: BNP leader Nipun Roy arrested in city
He demanded the withdrawal of the case filed against opposition leaders and activists and the release of those arrested.
He alleged that the government has failed to raise awareness among people to encourage them to maintain health safety rules to contain the surge in coronavirus infection.
The BNP leader said though the ruling party leaders are keeping themselves protected from the deadly virus staying at their homes, they are pushing the common people to get out of their houses.
Covid-19: BNP’s Rizvi shifted to ICU
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, who has been undergoing treatment at Square Hospitals for the past two weeks with Covid-19 infections l, was shifted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as his condition worsened.
Rizvi’s oxygen level has dropped below 70, causing breathing problems l, said BNP Health Affairs Secretary Rafiqul Islam.
Also read: BNP’s Rizvi hospitalised with Covid-19
Besides, he said the BNP senior joint secretary general is also suffering from fever and cough. “He (Rizvi) was taken to the ICU of the hospital around 2:30 pm.”
On March 18, Rizvi was admitted to the Square Hospitals with high fever and cough caused by the coronavirus infections. He tested positive for the virus on March 17.
Also read: BNP leader Mosharraf, wife infected with Covid-19
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and his wife Bilkis Akhter was also admitted to the same hospital with coronavirus infections on Wednesday night.
Evil intentions to create anarchy will be resisted: Hanif
Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif on Tuesday said that any evil intention to create anarchy centering the golden jubilee celebration will be resisted strictly.
He was speaking to journalists at the Pabna Circuit House in the morning over recent mayhem of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.
BNP-Jamaat tried to trigger anarchy in 2013 by misleading Madrasa students but the government and people resisted them together, he said.
Hanif accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance and Hefazat of using religion for personal gains.
“Stop using orphan children for personal interest, otherwise the government will deal with you sternly,” he said. Hefazat enforced a daylong strike on Sunday that ended with reports of sporadic clashes across the country.
On Friday, four people were killed and at least 15 others were injured in a clash between Hefazat supporters and police at Hathazari in Chattogram.
Police opened fire after a group of protestors attacked the Hathazari thana compound, Hathazari land office and set fire to a vehicle.
On the same day, at least 50 people, including several journalists, were injured in a clash between Muslim devotees and police in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque area.
Clashes erupted when police barred people from bringing out a procession after Jum’a prayers protesting against the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh.
Govt instigated communal forces, alleges Fakhrul
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday accused the government of creating an unbecoming situation in the country by instigating the communal forces.
“The government is carrying out a false campaign that we’ve supported Hefazat and fundamentalists, and we’re instigating them from behind the scene to create a communal problem in the country,” he said.
The BNP leader said, “I would like to clearly say it’s not BNP, but the government has instigated them (Hefazat and fundamentalists), and created such a situation in the country.”
He made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
The BNP leader said Hefazat activists wanted to bring out a normal procession from Baitul Mukarram Mosque on Friday, but police attacked them at the north gate while the ‘ruling party cadres’ at the south gate of the mosque, leaving many people injured.
He said the Hefazat activists were killed at Hathazari in Chattogram the same way as police attacked a peaceful procession of the organisation and opened fire on its activists.
Fakhrul said the government has opened a stigmatised chapter on the Independence Day by shedding the blood of people in Dhaka, Chattogram and Brahmanbaria by unleashing law enforcers and Awami League cadres when the nation was celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence.
He said their party tried to register its protest against the bloodletting and killing through holding protest rallies in the metropolitan cities Monday in district towns on Tuesday, but police and the ruling party men attacked BNP leaders and activists at different parts of the country.
Fakhrul condemned the police attacks on BNP leaders and workers during their party’s two-day peaceful programme.
He said their party tried to peacefully hold their programmes in protest against the killing of at least 15 people in the country over the last few days. “But our programme has no relation with Hefazat.”
The BNP leader alleged that ruling party leaders and some media are trying to give their party’s programmes a different colour involving it with Hefazat.
No step in sight to tackle Covid transmission: BNP
Though the coronavirus transmission has been surging alarmingly in the country, the government has no visible steps to contain the pace of outbreak of the deadly virus, BNP alleged on Tuesday.
“Corona infection is growing alarmingly. We saw an 18-point directive was issued yesterday (Monday), but the government has not taken any visible step to implement it,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He made the remarks while speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.
The BNP leader said there is a false campaign that the government is effectively tackling the Covid situation. “The fact is that they (govt) can’t control the virus, but they’re lying. The government should have a strong campaign and effective steps to enforce the 18-point directive, but it's missing.”
He accused the government of hiding the facts and data about the real Covid situation in the country and not conducting adequate tests to quickly identify the infected people.
“People are not getting adequate opportunities to undergo tests not only in Dhaka, but also elsewhere in Bangladesh. The government is fully responsible for this situation. They never realised the importance of creating a national unity to overcome the pandemic,” he observed.
Stating that using masks is essential to prevent the virus outbreak, the BNP leader said people are showing apathy to it as the government has failed to motivate them and create awareness among them in this regard through a mass campaign.
He said the government did not suspend different state programmes relating to the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman though the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had warned of deterioration in Covid situation.
Fakhrul alleged that the government is not taking proper steps to get rid of the corona outbreak as it is not accountable to people. “This government is not elected by people’s votes. An unelected government can’t have any responsibility towards people.”
He said the government’s main target is now to ‘hang onto’ power by any means and ‘plunder’ public money.
2 cases filed over Chattogram BNP, police clash
Police on Tuesday filed two cases over Monday’s clash between BNP activists and the law enforcers at Kazir Deuri area of Chattogram City.
One of the cases was filed under the Special Powers Act and the other under the Explosive Substances Act at Kotwali Police Station, said Officer-in-Charge Nizam Uddin.
Also Read: 20 injured as BNP, cops clash in Chattogram
Police accused 57 BNP leaders and activists, including divisional Organising Secretary Mahbubur Rahman Shamim and President of Chattogram City unit Dr Shahadat Hossain, in the two cases. Sixty other anonymous suspects were also accused, he said.
On Monday, at least 20 people, including policemen, were injured in a clash between BNP activists and law enforcers at Kazir Deuri.
The clash broke out around 4pm and lasted for an hour.
Also Read: BNP activists clash with police in city
BNP activists torched several vehicles near Nasiman Bhaban. Police fired several shots to control the situation.
BNP Office Secretary Idris Ali on Monday said BNP activists were preparing for a peaceful rally and accused police of obstructing them and firing at them as they tried to reach BNP office.
Fifteen BNP activists were injured in the firing and 50 others were wounded during police action, he claimed.
OC Nizam accused BNP activists of attacking police with brick chips when the law enforcers asked them to hold their rally in a safe place instead of the road.
Police detained BNP leader Shahadat after the clashes.
BNP was holding the rally demanding punishment to policemen involved in shooting incidents in Chattogram and Brahmanbaria during anti-Modi protests that left at least nine people dead, including several Hefazat-e-Islam activists.
20 injured as BNP, cops clash in Chattogram
At least 20 people, including policemen, were injured in a clash between BNP activists and law enforcers at Kazir Deuri area of Chattogram city on Monday.
The clash broke out around 4pm and lasted for an hour.
BNP activists torched several vehicles near Nasiman Bhaban. Police fired several shots to control the situation.
Mohila Dal President Monowara Begum, BNP leader Akhi Sultana and 13 others were detained from the spot.
Also read: Hartal: 30 hurt during clash with cops in Narayanganj
BNP Office Secretary Idris Ali said BNP activists were preparing for a peaceful rally and accused police of obstructing them and firing at them as they tried to reach BNP office.
Fifteen BNP activists were injured in the firing and 50 others were wounded during police action, he claimed.
BNP demands govt's immediate resignation
Blaming the government for the loss of lives in different parts of the country over the last three days in violence, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday asserted that this "regime must go".
“This government has shed the blood of common people on Bangladesh soil on the day of the 50th anniversary of Independence. It must shoulder the full responsibility for the bloodletting and loss of lives in Dhaka, Chattogram and Brahmanbaria in the last three days, and it must repay the blood debt,” he said.
Also read:BNP not to join upcoming UP polls: Fakhrul
Speaking at a protest rally, he said, "We want to make it clear that a country can never go on like this. This government can never cling to power by dashing people’s hopes and aspirations even after the 50 years of the country’s independence. They must go.”
As part of the party’s countrywide programme, Dhaka south and north units of BNP arranged the rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club, protesting the killing of people and police attacks on the Independence Day and snatching people’s democratic rights.
Fakhrul urged the government to step down immediately and transfer power to a neutral government paving the way for holding a credible election under an impartial Election Commission.
Otherwise, he warned, that the government will have to quit power facing the fate like other dictators of the past. “Let’s get united and forge a unity of people.”
Also read:BNP chalks out 2-day programme to mark Feb 21
The BNP leader alleged that the government has turned parliament into a rubber stamp in a planned way.
“The independence of the judiciary has been snatched, the administration has been politicised and law enforcement agencies have been turned into partisan oppressive forces. They (govt) did it to establish one-party Baksal rule. So, they must be ousted from power,” he observed.
Fakhrul said law enforcers together with ruling party activists repressed the country’s people over the last few days while many people , including BNP leaders and activists, were arrested by police.
He voiced concern over the growing price hike of daily essentials ahead of Ramadan, and urged the government to take effective steps to keep the prices of commodities within the buying capacity of people.
The BNP leader said their party wants Bangladesh to have good relations with neighbouring countries as the government claims it has very close relations with India. “But the Teesta water-sharing deal has not yet been signed and the border killing has not been stopped yet.”
He said the government cannot resolve outstanding problems with India and realise Bangladeshi people's justified demands due to its 'subservient' policy.
Also read:BNP criticises move to repeal Zia's gallantry title
“We would like to say that we won't be able to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of our people and protect the independence of Bangladesh by keeping this regime in power. Our freedom and democracy are now at stake under the current government,” Fakhrul observed.
BNP accuses govt of destabilising country
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Sunday alleged that the government has destabilised the country with its ‘imprudent’ decision like killing of people.
In a statement, he said, "In the last two days, since the great Independence Day, massacres carried out in Dhaka, Chittagong, Brahmanbaria and other areas through the firing of bullets and violence by law enforcers and Chhatra League and Jubo League. “People have been shot dead in Brahmanbaria even today (Sunday).”
"The government has made the entire country unstable with its imprudent decision of killing people by getting unnerved in the face of protests and demonstrations by people,” the BNP leader said.
Also read: BNP leader Nipun Roy ‘detained’ in city
He alleged that the government ordered law enforcers to shoot people and gave weapons to the ‘ruling party cadres’ instead of taking steps to calm the situation. “The government must shoulder the responsibility for the evolving situation.”
Fakhrul said many people, including Pir Abdul Hamid of Madhupur, were injured in firing by ‘Awami cadres’ during a demonstration in Munshiganj’s Sirajdikhan.
Also read: Police Firing: BNP announces two-day demo
Besides, he said, indiscriminate firing and armed attacks were carried out in different parts of the country, including Dhaka’s signboard areas.
Fakhrul condemned the arrest of BNP Executive Committee member advocate Nipun Roy Chowdhury in the city.
Also read: Undeclared “curfew” in Dhaka ignoring people: BNP
He demanded the government arrest the ‘Awami League cadres’ involved in the attacks on people and release Nipun immediately.
“The country’s people are living under the rule of an oppressive government. The government has become crazy to shed blood of people by firing bullets on people's chests instead of taking steps to protect public health amid coronavirus transmission,” Fakhrul observed.
Undeclared “curfew” in Dhaka ignoring people: BNP
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday alleged that the government is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Independence without people by imposing an undeclared “curfew” in Dhaka.
“The situation that prevails today (Friday) in Bangladesh, especially in Dhaka city, is not expected for any of us. We’ve seen an undeclared curfew in the entire city while people’s movement is being stopped,” he said.
The BNP leader said, “The government is celebrating this day keeping people away.”
As part of ensuring foolproof security centring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, traffic on different roads in the capital has been restricted. The leaders and activists of BNP were barred from going to the grave of party founder Ziaur Rahman to pay homage to him on the occasion of Golden Jubilee of Independence.
Taking permission from police, Fakhrul and some other party senior leaders placed a wreath at Zia’s grave paying tribute to him.
Also read: BNP brings changes to Independence Day prog
Later, talking to reporters, Fakhrul said they have postponed their most programmes, including a rally, to mark the day due to the deteriorating Covid situation.
He alleged that though coronavirus situation has taken a dangerous turn, the government is showing apathy to it. “The main reason behind the government’s indifference is that they’re busy with foreign guests. We don't see their interest in protecting people.”
Replying to a question, Fakhrul said the government has long been failed to resolve the unsettled issues, including ensuring fair share of water of the common rivers, with friendly country India.
Also read:
He said the government has been talking about signing the Teesta water sharing deal for 10 years, but it has so far failed to do so.
The BNP leader alleged that the government has unilaterally signed a deal with India to share water of the Feni River.
Also read: BNP postponed Independence Day event to avoid embarrassment: Obaidul Quader
He also said the killings of Bangladeshis along the border have not stopped yet. “The government is enhancing connectivity with India, but people have not been told what benefits we are getting from it. We surely want good relations with all countries. But we never want anyone to be our master and the people of Bangladesh will also not accept it,” Fakhrul said.
Meanwhile, senior leaders of Dhaka district unit BNP, on behalf of the party, paid tributes to the martyrs of the Liberation War by placing wreaths at the National Mausoleum, Savar in the morning.