‘Some cops, judges patronising killers’

Jatiya Nagorik Committee chief organiser Sarjis Alam yesterday alleged that certain police officers and judges are patronising criminals in exchange for benefits.

Speaking at a discussion titled "Your Vision of a New Bangladesh" in Sonargaon yesterday, he claimed that numerous allegations have surfaced regarding political groups that once opposed fascism but are now protecting these individuals in return for money and power.

He said some police officers and judges continue to provide cover for these criminals in exchange for various favours.

Addressing the upcoming elections, he said it must be the most transparent election in Bangladesh's history. He said if one party were to win all 300 seats while others secured none, they would accept it, provided the election upheld the spirit of the revolution.

However, he warned that if any force attempted to manipulate votes or influence polling centres, those places would become the grounds for another uprising.

Sarjis said their new political party would be inclusive of people from all backgrounds, regardless of religion, ideology, age, or class.

He said Nahid Islam, a key figure in the movement, had been asked to step out of power and take on a crucial role for the people.

He alleged that certain groups, especially in the media, were attempting to create division by spreading misleading information about leadership appointments.

Accusing the former prime minister, he alleged that "Killer Hasina" fled the country out of fear but continues to incite unrest from abroad along with her beneficiaries.

Sarjis urged the people to carefully assess their leaders, asking them to recognise who stood by them during difficult times and who remained absent, only to return now claiming to support them.

He said many so-called leaders had been missing for the past 16 years but were now resurfacing to seek leadership, and he cautioned that these figures would abandon the people again when the time came.

Criticising ongoing corruption, he claimed that extortion and syndicates still exist and that land grabbing in Sonargaon has worsened.

He called for unity in order to bring about real change. He also advised people against blindly following any leader, urging them instead to engage in logical criticism.