BNP on Thursday blamed government agencies for the communal incidents in Cumilla and elsewhere in the country, saying these are part of a plot to mislead people.

Speaking at a discussion, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir demanded prompt action against the perpetrators.

"The government has completely failed to maintain law and order and stability in the country…some untoward incidents happened centring the Durga Puja of Hindu brothers in Cumilla and Chandpur. Three people were killed in Chandpur as police opened fire indiscriminately,” he said.

Also read: None of those involved in Cumilla incident to be spared: Obaidul Quader

The BNP leader said these incidents are an outcome of the government’s ‘plot’ to destroy communal harmony and stability in the country. “We strongly condemn and protest these incidents.”

About the desecration of the holy Quran in Cumilla, Fakhrul said the main intention behind this is to destabilise the country. "You’ve heard that the holy Quran was kept in the puja mandapa. Who did it? Those who’ve done it have a motive to ruin the communal harmony.”

He also alleged that law enforcers opened fire on people in different places over the incident also for the same reason.

“It’s a country of communal harmony. We’ve been living here very peacefully for thousands of years… These incidents have been carried out completely by the government agencies to create unrest in the country and to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the real crisis.”

Jatiyatabadi Samabay Dal arranged the discussion programme at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, marking its 11th founding anniversary.

Also read: Several identified, suspected instigators held over Cumilla incident: Home Minister

He said there are many problems in the country, including the lack of democracy, freedom of expression and other rights, while a ‘terrible fascist’ regime has been in power like a ‘monster’.

“When we’re talking about the problems and working on it, they (govt) want to divert the attention of people to another direction by carrying out these (communal) incidents,” he observed.

Accusing the government of destroying the country’s election system, the BNP leader said elections in Bangladesh have now become a ‘laughing stock’ and people have forgotten about good elections. “The last election was held in 2001 and there has been no other election since then. What happened in 2008 was under an illegitimate government.”

He said there is no scope to hold a credible and neutral election in Bangladesh unless it is held under a non-party polls-time government.

Fakhrul said it will not be acceptable to people if the government constitutes the next election commission through a search committee.

“Our position is clear that we won’t allow any more games in the name of election. The government must step down, handing over power to a neutral administration for holding a meaningful election,” he said.

The BNP secretary general also called upon the people of all walks of life to unite to bring a change in the current situation of the country.