Govt wants to thwart movement arresting BNP men: Rizvi

BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi alleged Friday that the government has started arresting BNP leaders and activists after being unnerved at the call of the anti-government movement, reports UNB.

He came up with the allegation at a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office in the capital.

The BNP leader said the government got afraid after BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia had announced to wage movement after Ramadan. "Hence, the government has let the law enforcement agencies loose on BNP leaders and activists to thwart the movement."

He also alleged that the country is being made crippled on all fronts -- politically, economically and socially.

Observing that the political crisis of Bangladesh is deepening day by day, Rizvi said this is also destroying the country's image badly.

BNP, Dhaka city unit member secretary Abdus Salam, central leaders Khairul Kabir Khokan, Advocate Sanaullah Miah and Abdul Latif Jonny were present in the conference.

Bdnews24.com adds: "On July 4 Ashulia Jubo Dal Vice President and an elected Union Parishad (UP) member Aminur Rahman was arrested when he came out of a mosque. Police arrested him in connection with an old case and tortured him horribly," he said.

"BNP leader Rafique, Mintu and seven or eight others were arrested without any real reason from Kalyanpur. We are getting reports of arrests from all over the country."

"The government has gone mad. Ministers are talking provocative nonsense to save their jobs. One minister has threatened to kill the BNP chairperson," he said.

"I will only say that corrupt criminal politicians and touts will never escape the cruelty of time and the revenge of fate," he warned.

Mr Rizvi said the head of the government was backing 'godfathers' who were torturing the nation.

He said the Parliament was illegal and did not represent the people. "The make-believe election of January 5 was nothing but a cruel joke. It is a hateful thing to the democratic world."

"The Parliament has become an entertainment show. They don't pass laws for the people there," he said.