Have cops been indemnified by premier?
Have cops been indemnified by premier?
Asks Nagorik Oikya chief Manna; slams law enforcers for so-called shootouts
Alarmed at whether the prime minister has given indemnity to police to stop the BNP-led blockade violence, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna yesterday slammed the law enforcers for the so-called shootouts that have killed ten people since January 12.
“Rab, BGB and police chiefs have spoken of extremities. Has the premier given them indemnity for offence?” he told a meeting with journalists in the Shishu Kalyan Parishad auditorium in the capital.
On Wednesday, Sheikh Hasina ordered police to “do anything to stop” the violence, saying she would take responsibility of their action.
Manna said the "shootouts" were "state-sponsored" terrorism, adding, "What the BNP is doing in the name of movement is also terrorism.”
He, however, blamed the government for the prevailing impasse, which he said was a result of the "voter-less" election it held on January 5 last year, excluding the then main opposition.
He further said, “The government is suing BNP chief Khaleda Zia as mastermind of the incidents of violence. But now when police have been ordered to shoot, I ask 'will Sheikh Hasina be sued in the same way when she will not be in power?'”
Referring to Nagorik Oikya's plan to rally in the capital on Sunday to demand a dialogue, he said, “If we are not allowed to hold the rally, we will go to the High Court.”
Worried for the students, who will take part in the SSC and equivalent examinations from February 2, Manna criticised both BNP and AL for their rigid stances.