United News of Bangladesh

Strongly protesting the killing of a Jubo Dal leader in ‘custody through torture,’ BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has demanded that the offenders be brought to justice to prevent the repetition of extrajudicial killings. “We had long been speaking out against extrajudicial killings, illegal arrests, and custodial deaths during Hasina’s rule. Unfortunately, it is deeply saddening that one of our Jubo Dal leaders was killed by the joint forces after being picked up yesterday (Friday),” he said. Fakhrul demands justice for killing of Cumilla Jubo Dal leader Fakhrul made these remarks while speaking at a clothes distribution programme for the destitute at a playground in Uttara’s 13-No sector, organised by the Dhaka North City unit of BNP.  “We want to make it clear that we don’t want to see any more extrajudicial killings in the country and such incidents should not be repeated, and those who committed this heinous crime must be brought to justice,” he said. Towhidul Islam, 42, convener of Panchthuri union Jubo Dal in Cumilla Sadar upazila, was allegedly picked up from his home by the joint forces early Friday and later died at Cumilla Medical College Hospital. Family members have claimed that he was tortured to death, as physicians found torture marks on his body. The BNP leader mentioned that many of their party’s leaders and workers, including former MP Ilias Ali and Uttara Chhatra Dal leader Munna, were victims of enforced disappearance. “We don’t want to witness such incidents. We want to see a peaceful situation in the country, the rule of law, and justice. We don’t want to see any more injustice towards the people,” he said. Fakhrul also called on BNP leaders and workers to refrain from hooliganism, land-grabbing, extortion and other wrongful activities. “Those who indulge in such activities are the enemies of the country and the party.” He urged the party leaders and workers to earn the trust and love of the people, aiming to gain public support and come to power through the next election. Earlier in the day, Mirza Fakhrul had alleged that people in plainclothes had killed Cumilla Jubo Dal leader Towhidul Islam through torture. In a statement, Fakhrul also called for an urgent investigation to determine whether associates of the Awami League, lurking within the government and administration, played a role in the incident. Following the fall of the fascist Awami League government, the BNP leader said the occurrence of extrajudicial killing under the interim government, supported by political parties involved in the democratic movement, is deeply unfortunate. Anti-Discrimination Student movement condemns BNP leader's death in joint forces' custody He said the extrajudicial killing of the Jubo Dal leader has shocked the nation and created renewed fear among the people. “No government force has the right to take the law into its own hands. No matter how powerful the criminal is, they must be brought under the law and given exemplary punishment. But state forces have no right to torture and kill someone unlawfully,” Fakhrul said. He strongly protested and denounced the extrajudicial killing of Towhidul Islam and demanded that the true perpetrators behind the killing be brought to justice. "If the fascist misrule of Awami League is repeated, the country will again plunge into chaos. People will live in constant fear. Extrajudicial killings can never bring peace and order to society," the BNP leader said. Fakhrul also prayed for the salvation of Towhidul Islam’s departed soul and expressed his sympathy to the bereaved family members. On his verified Facebook page on Saturday morning, Fakhrul posted a photo card with the message, "Jubo Dal leader Towhidul Islam Hottar Bichar Chai" (We demand justice for the murder of Jubo Dal leader Towhidul Islam). Meanwhile, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi slammed the Dr Muhammad Yunus-led interim government over the ‘extrajudicial killing’ of Towhidul, saying that it occurred in the same manner as during the Awami League government. He also lamented that the incident occurred amid ongoing conspiracies both at home and abroad against the country and the interim government. Top criminals roam around Dhaka as law enforcement remains inactive: Rizvi "Our fears are growing day by day. A Jubo Dal leader, who was picked up in Cumilla, was returned by law enforcers as dead. Why is this happening during Dr Yunus' tenure?" Rizvi said. He said Dr Yunus, who is admired by various human rights organisations across the globe including Western democratic countries, is also liked by the people of Bangladesh. “If the various evil deeds and atrocities of the Sheikh Hasina government are repeated during his tenure, the people will be shocked.” He made the comments while addressing the introduction meeting of the central convening committee of "Thikana Bangladesh", a newly formed pro-BNP platform, at Nayapaltan Bhashani Auditorium in the capital. Rizvi strongly condemned the killing of the Cumilla Jubo Dal leader, stating that if Towhidul was a criminal, he should have been arrested and brought to justice. “But why would he be arrested, tortured to death, and then returned to his parents during this government's rule?" He said the people of the country forced a terrible and bloodthirsty government to leave as it had indulged in such extrajudicial killings. "Why would extrajudicial killings, like those during Sheikh Hasina's regime, be repeated in this country again?" The BNP leader said if there had been any allegations of crime against the Jubo Dal leader, it was the responsibility of the court to judge that crime. Rizvi said the democratic parties and democracy-loving people of the country had extended their support to the Dr Yunus-led government, even though it was not an elected administration. “But if Hasina's rule is repeated during this government, then the bloody movement, the bloodshed on the streets, and the supreme sacrifices of a five-year-old child like Ahad, and young souls like Mughdo and Abu Sayed, who fearlessly accepted the bullets of Sheikh Hasina's police during the July mass uprising, will be completely in vain,” he bemoaned.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Wednesday said the country's most urgent need is now a free, fair and acceptable election, as various conspiracies and campaigns are being orchestrated against the nation. Talking to journalists at his residence in Thakurgaon district town, the BNP leader said that the proportional representation electoral system is not feasible in the context of Bangladesh. “We’re not concerned about Awami League’s participation in the upcoming election. Our worry is about when the next election will be held, as the current interim government has not yet presented any roadmap for the polls,” he said. Those who may create controversies shouldn’t be given charge: Fakhrul Fakhrul also said the government has formed a committee to reform the electoral system, which has already sent the BNP a letter. “We’re working on it and will provide our feedback very soon. What we have emphasised is that, in the current context, what is most needed in Bangladesh is a free, fair and acceptable election.” He said they have repeatedly talked about the need to make the electoral system suitable for elections and create a level playing field.  “An elected government and an elected parliament are crucial to addressing the country's political and economic crises. This is the point we have been stressing again and again." The BNP leader said India, which has provided shelter to Sheikh Hasina, the main architect of fascism, is carrying out various harmful campaigns against Bangladesh. "We should be cautious about this, or else, as a nation, we will face great danger.” Fakhrul said the number of advisers to the interim government has reached 21, as there are no specific rules regarding the number of advisers. “They can be appointed as needed to run the country,” he explained. The BNP leader said the decision on who will be appointed as an adviser, or who will not, is entirely the responsibility of the Chief Adviser, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus. “However, I would like to request him to be careful in ensuring that controversial people are not inducted into the advisory council,” Fakhrul said. Stating that the fascist Awami League government has successfully divided the nation, the BNP leader said, "We want to eliminate this division and create a united nation. In a democratic society, there will be different opinions. But on the fundamental issues of Bangladesh's independence, sovereignty, democracy, and people's rights, there must be unity.” He also said the interim government must be given time, as it is not possible to clear 17 years of mess in 17 days or 17 months. "For this, those of you who are in the government have less responsibility. When a democratic government comes, that parliament will carry out those tasks.” The BNP leader also said the interim government should not focus on all reforms, but rather only on those necessary for the election. "The rest of the reforms should be carried out by the elected parliament. That’s why we’ve been saying that the election must be held within a reasonable time frame, and the government must present a roadmap for it." He explained that the main responsibility of this government is to create a level playing field for the election, ensuring that everyone can cast their vote and participate in the process. “The issue of vote rigging must be eradicated, and measures should be taken to ensure that. At the same time, impartial people should be appointed to oversee the election process, the judiciary must be made independent, and the administration must be neutral,” Fakhrul observed. He also pointed out that it is a very difficult situation for ordinary people to cope with the rising prices of daily essentials. "The current government should give more attention to this issue. We hope that there are highly capable individuals within the government. I expect the government to take all the necessary steps to bring the market back to normal," he added.