BNP blames AL men for attacks

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night claimed that the BNP-Jamaat had no relation with the post polls attacks on the religious minorities.
She also rejected outright the prime minister's claim that the opposition men were responsible for the attacks.
The BNP chief was exchanging views with a delegation of pro-BNP journalists, teachers and lawyers at her Gulshan residence around 9:30pm.
Ruhul Amin Gazi, convener of the Peshajibi Shamannay Parishad, led the 12-member team.
“The opposition didn't contest the January 5 elections. Therefore, it is out of question that opposition activists attacked the minorities for going to polling centres. We've no conflict with the religious minorities. It's the government and the ruling party men who attacked the religious minorities to blame it on the BNP and Jamaat,” Gazi told The Daily Star, quoting Khaleda as saying.
“It doesn't matter what the government is saying about the January 5 farcical elections. The whole world has observed how farcical the polls were. They [government] even failed to bring the ruling party men to the polling centres,” added Gazi quoting Khaleda.
Khaleda told the delegation that her party as well as the 18-party alliance will continue pressing for national polls under a non-party administration.
BNP BLAMES AL
The BNP yesterday complained that activists of the ruling Awami League had led premeditated attacks on the Hindus in Jessore, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and some other parts of the country to divert people's attention from the January 5 farcical polls.
In a statement, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on behalf of party chief Khaleda Zia, asked the members of the 18-party combine and the people to be alert to ensure security of religious minorities and take necessary steps in this regard.
Earlier in a press briefing, BNP standing committee member Mahbubur Rahman claimed that the ongoing movement of the BNP-led opposition alliance was “democratic and peaceful”.
“Vested quarters are active to push an anti-people agenda. We all should remain vigilant and careful to this end,” Mahbub told newsmen at his Banani residence.
He said BNP demanded the government and law enforcers take prompt action against the real perpetrators of the attacks that destroyed the country's historic tradition of religious harmony.