Terming the recent incidents of crossfire a stage-managed drama, BNP alleged Monday that extrajudicial killings are being carried out in the country at the state patronage to eliminate the opposition, reports UNB.
"Extrajudicial killings are going on at the state patronage. We think no one is safe since the government is killing people through its crossfire-drama to annihilate the opposition," said BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
He came up with the allegation at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office.
The BNP leader said their apprehension of the murder of a Satkhira Chhatra Dal leader, Azharul Islam, has come true as his bullet-hit body was found early Monday.
Earlier on Saturday, BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon at a press briefing had voiced apprehension that Azahraul might have been the victim of extrajudicial killing as he had been missing since law enforcers picked him up.
However, police said they took Azhar to Kheyagaht area in the district on Sunday night to recover illegal arms after arresting him on Sunday morning.
Police also claimed the JCD leader was killed in a gunfight between the law enforcers and the 'cohorts' of Azharul.
Reacting to the incident, Fakhrul said extrajudicial killings are being carried out across the country in the name of joint forces' operation. "A reign of terror has been established everywhere in the country. Over a hundred opposition leaders and activists have become the victims of extrajudicial killing across the country."
Expressing his disappointment that the media is not giving due importance to the alarming increase in extrajudicial killing, the BNP leader sought cooperation from journalists in having the menace stopped.
Fakhrul also urged the government to stop the extrajudicial killings and allow them to exercise their democratic rights.
Earlier, a joint meeting of BNP was held at the central office with Fakhrul Islam in the chair about their January-29 countrywide demonstration and black procession.
An earlier report adds: A leader of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, student wing of BNP, was killed in a 'gunfight' with members of the joint forces in Magura Kheyaghat area of Tala upazila early Monday.
The deceased identified as Azharul Islam, 35, son of late Sirajuddin of Ghona village in the upazila, was vice-president of the upazila unit of JCD.
Motiar Rahman, officer-in-charge of Tala Police Station, said a team of the joint forces arrested Azharul from a shrimp enclosure at Ghona village on Sunday morning.
Later, the law enforcers along with Azharul launched a drive in Magura Kheyaghat area around 4:30am on Monday to recover firearms in his possession.
Local JCD activists attacked the team of joint forces in a bid to snatch Azharul, triggering a fierce clash, the OC said.
At least 35 rounds of gunshot were exchanged between the law enforcers and the JCD men, leaving Azharul dead on the spot.
Besides, three policemen-Sub-inspector Shakhawat Hossain and constables Tazibur Rahman and Shahbuddin-were injured during the clash.
One pipe gun, two rounds of bullet and five bombs were also recovered from the scene.
