BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged the government is giving promotions to the officials involved in enforced disappearances and murders, reports UNB.
"Based on the Prime Minister's offer for tea, I would like to say the US State Department imposed sanctions on some officials for indulging in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. But what did you (PM) do? You have recently promoted two people who are involved in such disappearance and murder," he said.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi came up with the remarks while speaking at a human chain programme organised by Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal in front of the Jatiya Press Club in the city on Monday, protesting the hike in prices of daily essentials and indecent comments against BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman by a ruling party leader.
He also said those who carry out the acts of disappearance and murder in favour of the government are called Sheikh Hasina's `death squad'.
Stating that an ancient Greek philosopher was killed by giving him hemlock juice, Rizvi said, "You (Sheikh Hasina) are offering tea. There's a question in people's minds what will be there in Sheikh Hasina's cups of tea? Whether there will be the juice or hemlock in that tea? Because we saw how she dealt with the opposition in the past."
He alleged the current government has made disappearances, crossfires and killings a part of politics in running the state. "Everyone knows who are involved in killings and crossfires. In today's era of technology, everyone is also monitoring it internationally."
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she would offer BNP leaders to tea if they come to besiege her office (Prime Minister's Office).
"I will listen to them - whatever they want to say. I believe in democracy," she said while speaking at a meeting of Awami League's Dhaka North and South units.
Rizvi said the PM's soft tone like offering tea to the protesters is not a good sign. "Why is your voice suddenly so soft? It's a strange thing. When the tone of your voice weakens, it is an indication that some more terrible torture is coming down on the opposition."
Recalling that Hasina asked BNP to send the list of cases to her before the 2018 election, he said, "Then we saw you filed cases against us more extensively."
