BNP points finger at govt, bank officials

Two senior BNP leaders yesterday alleged that the Tk 800 crore, which was stolen from Bangladesh Bank's account in the US Federal Reserve Bank, was skimmed with the help of the government and central bank officials.

BNP standing committee members Moudud Ahmed and Goyeshwar Chandra Roy raised the allegation in two separate programmes in the capital.

They demanded that a fair and credible investigation be carried out into the incident, saying the ministers and MPs and bank officials who were behind the heist can be identified through a proper probe.

The BNP leaders, however, did not elaborate or mention names of any individuals.

"Nobody believes that it is possible for hackers to loot money from the central bank's reserve without the help of the officials of the bank," Moudud Ahmed said at a discussion.

Moshiur Rahman Jadu Mia Jatiya Memorial Committee organised the programme at Jatiya Press Club marking the 37th death anniversary of the BNP co-founder.

"An anarchic situation has been created at present due to an absence of accountability of the government. Besides, there is no democracy… A political vacuum is prevailing. Under this situation, militancy, extremism and fundamentalist forces will rise," said Moudud. 

Earlier, speaking at another discussion at the same venue organised by Jatiyatabadi Karmajibi Dal, Goyeshwar warned that the government will have to bow out amid public wrath if it fails to recover the public money.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York was hacked and $100 million was taken out from the Bangladesh government's account last month. The sensational heist surfaced after a Philippines newspaper published a report on it.