Govt directs lawmen to suppress people: BNP

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Star file photo

Law enforcers under the government’s order to kill are active in the north to squash BNP-led 20-party alliance’s ongoing movement, a spokesman of the party alleged today.
 “The joint forces of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and police are carrying out atrocities in some areas of Chapainawabganj,” said Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, BNP’s joint secretary general.
“They have orders from the government to kill. They raided some villages of Shibganj-Kansat and killed opposition leaders and activists, torched many of their houses,” he alleged.
The allegations were made in a press statement floated to the media after a local activist of BNP was killed in a “gunfight” with Rab today.
The elite force identified the “gunfight” victim to be an arsonist engaged with torching of vehicles and sabotage during the ongoing agitation of the BNP-led 20-party alliance.
Yesterday, paramilitary BGB announced they will use lethal weapons against saboteurs for the sake of people’s security. It would be the duty of a BGB trooper to compromise a saboteur over risking the life of other people, BGB chief said.
“The law enforcement agencies have been turned into enemy of the people and they are being used to meet the government’s petty political interest,” Rizvi alleged in the statement.
In response, the BNP leader urged the government to engage in an “effective dialogue”.
“Engage in an effective dialogue immediately to hold a meaningful election,” he said. “Move from the policy of killing blockaders. Free Khaleda Zia from confinement.”
And also, Rizvi said the opposition alliance’s nonstop countrywide blockade programe will continue until the demands are not met.