BNP calls nationwide protests tomorrow against attacks on its programmes

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday announced a nationwide demonstration programme on Sunday (Sept 18) in protest against attacks on its rallies across the country including in Mirpur area.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the announcement at a press conference organised at the party chairperson's Gulshan office.

He said the ruling Awami League has been carrying out planned attacks on BNP to spoil its peaceful movement intended to establish a neutral election time government.

"Yesterday (Thursday), the ruling party goons along with the police launched attacks on peaceful rally of BNP in Mirpur and other parts of the country," he said, adding in response to such acts, BNP will observe country-wide protests on Sunday.

The main demonstration will be held in front of BNP's central office in the city's Nayapaltan at 3:00 pm on the day, he said.

Mr Fakhrul said the party in power doesn't want to create a favourable environment for a free and fair election.

Stating that there is no alternative to the resignation of the government before the election, he said: "The government has been trying to incite violence in the country with the intention to conduct the polls leaving the opposition out of it."

He also alleged that law enforcement agencies were directly assisting the 'regime' to wipe out opposition political parties from the field.

"BNP is determined in its aim as people want change in power... no matter how hard the government tries, our movements can't be tamed," he added.

BNP's Dhaka Metropolitan North convener Amanullah Aman and Dhaka Metropolitan South convener Abdus Salam were present at the press conference.

At another programme, organised by Jatiyatabadi Nabin Dal at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the city, BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said the government is running the country in fascist manner.

Condemning the attack on BNP men in Mirpur, he said, "The government is attacking BNP activists indiscriminately to stay in power... because of that reason, the party can't hold any political programmes in the country."

Presided over by Jatiyatabadi Nabin Dal president Humayan Ahmed Talukdar, the programme was also addressed by BNP chairperson's adviser Zainul Abedin Faruk and BNP joint-secretary general Khairul Kabir Khokon.

adnan.hossain3017@gamil.com