Exemplary punishment must be meted out for killings: BNP

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) demanded on Thursday that the government mete out exemplary punishment to those responsible for the killing of students and innocent people over the job quota movement.

It also called upon the government to provide due compensation to the families of those who were killed and injured during the recent nationwide mayhem.

Secretary General of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the demands in a statement issued on the day.

"Those who are responsible for the killing of students and innocent people should be brought to justice, and exemplary punishment must be meted out to them. We demand that the government provide appropriate compensation to the families of the victims," he said.

He also demanded immediate release of the detained party leaders including health affairs secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam, assistant youth affairs secretary Mir Newaz Ali, members of the executive committee Syed Jahangir Hossain and Tariqul Islam Tenzing, former Jubo Dal leader SM Jahangir, Swechchhasebak Dal leader Sad Morshed Hoseen Pappa Shikder and Saniat, son of the party's vice-chairman Barkatullah Bulu, and chairman of Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Barrister Andlib Rahman Partha.

Mr Fakhrul also demanded withdrawal of all the false cases filed against them.

He alleged that the government shifted blame on others (BNP leaders and activists) for inciting the recent violence.

Mr Fakhrul said that the government was arresting his party leaders and activists in a blanket scale.

"The government and some law enforcing agency officials are grossly blaming BNP and opposition party leaders and activists for playing a role in the student movement," he said.

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