BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday said the Coronavirus situation is going out of control as the government has failed to take any pragmatic step to contain the virus transmission.

“The coronavirus situation has taken a critical turn in Bangladesh, and it's getting out of hand only because of the government’s failure and indifference,” he said.

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In a statement, the BNP leader also said the coronavirus pandemic has become more acute in the country this time than last year as the infections and fatalities of the deadly virus are growing at a geometric rate every day.

“But the government is failing to deal with the crisis as it did last year. The government has hastily enforced a lockdown or some restrictions for 7 days from April 5 without any pragmatic thought to tackle the awful situation,” Fakhrul observed.

He said the people of different professions have taken to the streets against the lockdown announced by the government. “In fact, the slightest scene of what is meant by lockdown is not visible anywhere."

The BNP leader said the government has failed to properly enforce the lockdown for lack of pragmatic and well-thought-out plans. 

He alleged that the government has no responsibility to people since it is not elected by them. “The government must be held accountable to people for its terrible misrule for more than 12 years.”

In the statement, Fakhrul condemned the filing of a case against 4,000 BNP leaders and activists at Saltha upazila in Faridpur district in connection with attack on Saltha Police Station and the upazila parishad on Tuesday night.

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He said local people staged demonstrations at Saltha in protest against the oppression on an employee of a shop by the staff of a government official over enforcing the unplanned lockdown.

The BNP leader said law enforcers opened fire indiscriminately on the demonstrators, killing one of them.

He said the case was filed against BNP leaders and activists as part of the government’s suppressive measures.

Stating that 21 leaders and activists of their party have already been arrested there, Fakhrul demanded the government withdraw the case and release those arrested.

He also demanded the government restore peace at Saltha and stop harassing BNP leaders and activist in the name of drives by police.