Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman on Tuesday claimed that more than 4,500 BNP leaders and activists were killed in the name of “crossfire” and around 700 others were subjected to enforced disappearances during the 17 years of the previous government.
“Many leaders and activists were killed and subjected to enforced disappearance for their association with BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a meeting on law and order and development at the conference room of the Bagerhat deputy commissioner’s office in the afternoon.
He said more than 60 lakh people faced “false and fabricated cases” for their involvement in BNP and Jamaat politics during the previous government. “Police were the plaintiffs in 99 percent of those cases.”
“Notice the change. Now police are not filing cases as plaintiffs to harass political opponents,” Asaduzzaman said.
He, however, said this did not mean that the culture of false cases has completely ended.
The minister said when families of political groups or victims file cases against individuals, many names may be included regardless of whether the allegations are true or false. “The police are now verifying such allegations before taking action,” he said.
On the drug situation, he said masterminds of drug syndicates are remaining beyond the reach of law and alleged that drugs are being smuggled into the country by drones from across the border. “There will be zero tolerance on drugs. If any party leader is behind it, we are warning them as well,” he said.
Describing drug abuse as a social disease, Asaduzzaman said no one involved in the drug trade will be spared and called for collective efforts to make society free of drugs.
Addressing law enforcement agencies, he said anyone facing allegations must be brought under the law, regardless of how influential they are.
The meeting was chaired by Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten.
Local lawmakers, government officials and representatives of various professions attended the meeting.
Earlier in the morning, the minister held a meeting with judicial officers of all levels at the conference room of the Bagerhat District Judges Court.
In the afternoon, he joined a view-exchange meeting with BNP leaders and activists at the Bagerhat District Council auditorium.