Entire country now a torture cell: Rizvi

BNP yesterday expressed solidarity with demands of demonstrating students of Buet over the death of Abrar Fahad.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also called upon Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to show she is “on the side of” the slain Buet student, by cancelling recently-signed bilateral documents with India.

He demanded the government immediately arrest Amit Saha, a resident of Sher-e-Bangla Hall’s room-2011 -- where Abrar was reportedly tortured to death. “We express solidarity with each and every demand of the students who have been protesting,” Rizvi said.

He said though Abrar was tortured and killed in Amit Saha’s room, no action was taken against him. “He was neither made accused in the case, nor expelled by Chhatra League. The Buet administration and police officials are trying to save him,” he said.

Rizvi said Abrar was killed for posting on Facebook in the interests of the country. “The government deceived people by signing the anti-state deals. So, it can’t avoid the responsibility of the murder of Abrar.”

“I would like to tell the prime minister that Abrar was killed for protesting anti-nation deals. So, you prove you’re in favour of Abrar by revoking the deals with India,” Rizvi said.

The BNP leader alleged that the government is resorting to various tricks to divert people’s attention to a different direction from the main cause of Abrar’s brutal murder, adding that that the entire country now has become a torture cell while people of all ages are being subjected to repression.

“A modern torture cell was found after the arrest of Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan. Another torture cell was found at the office of Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat. Buet Chhatra League leader Amit Saha’s room 2011 was also a torture cell where Abrar was killed,” Rizvi said.