BNP demands broad-based probe body
BNP has demanded formation of a broad-based committee comprised of credible persons, experts and representatives of armed forces to investigate the BDR mutiny.
The National Standing Committee of BNP in a statement last night also urged all to face the prevailing situation with patience, and maintaining peace and unity.
The statement followed a meeting of the standing committee with party Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the chair at her Gulshan office in the city.
The major opposition party alleged that the 'action and reaction' in the wake of the killings in the mutiny proved the government's total failure to resolve the crisis. “Narrow mentality and controversial steps and statements of the government made the situation more complex,” it said.
“Government could not take timely steps to prevent the killing of army officers and their family members, and torture on women and children,” said the statement signed by Rizvi Ahmed, office secretary of BNP.
“The prime minister, who is also the defence minister, cannot avoid responsibility of the failure to take effective measures to protect arms and ammunition, and prevent escape of criminals,” BNP alleged said.
It claimed that allegations of abetting the criminals are being made against some who are linked with the government. “In this situation, questions are being raised about the enquiry committee headed by the home minister, who failed to protect life, wealth and dignity of many army officers and their family members.”
“There are allegations that this committee has been formed to hide the criminals, instead of finding them out,” BNP said, adding people think that anti-state forces were behind the incident which was pre-planned.
Many talented officers have been killed and hostile relations created between two forces, which pose a serious threat to independence and sovereignty, BNP said. “It should be found out through proper investigation who have become beneficiary of this incident, and how their 'local agents' carried out this brutality in a planned way.”
The country will not be free from this crisis if punishment of the criminals is not ensured, the statement said.
BNP yesterday expressed deep condolences for the army officers and soldiers killed in the mutiny at the BDR headquarters.
The party standing committee at its meeting also decided that 'doa mahfil' will be held across the country today for those killed.
In the capital, 'doa mahfil' will be held after Asr prayers today at the Jatiya Press Club.
“Standing Committee meeting has started. The meeting adopted a mourning proposal, and decided that doa mahfil would be held tomorrow [today],” BNP office secretary Rizvi Ahmed told reporters soon after the meeting began with Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the chair at her Gulshan office in the city.
The party called upon its leaders and workers across the country to arrange the programme in their areas.
Party leaders and activists wore black badges yesterday to observe the mourning programme taken up by the party in this connection.
Secretary General of BNP Khandaker Delwar Hossain, Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moudud Ahmed and Shamsul Islam, among others, were present at the committee meeting.
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