Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday that opening of river dams by India that caused floods in different areas of Bangladesh was a criminal offence though there exist international laws in this regard (opening river dams).
He made the remarks while addressing a memorial discussion marking the 9th death anniversary of Kazi Zafar Ahmed, a former prime minister and chairman of a faction of Jatiya Party, at the National Press Club.
"The person who is leading the present interim government is a learned and highly respectable person. People have trust in him (Dr Muhammad Yunus). They (interim government) will arrange a fine election after removing all piles of irregularities (cumulated during the past Hasina regime)," he said.
"We expected that they (interim government) would announce a roadmap for holding the national election, though it is not easy to do that within that short span of time. We (BNP) are still saying that they (interim government) must be given a logical time for arranging a national election. BNP believes that election will be held in the country within that logical time," he continued.
"The Chief Adviser said that the people of the country will decide when the election will be held. But they (interim government) have talked to the political parties. They (interim government) will be given all-out support (by political parties). He (Dr Yunus) assured that the country will no more be a police state," he stated.
Mr Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir demanded withdrawal of all the false cases filed against BNP leaders like the cases filed against the Chief Adviser during the immediate past regime were withdrawn.
He said the protest raised by Ansar Battalion was not a good sign as the defeated forces behind the scene might try to create indiscipline and anarchy.
He also said that no party should attempt to realise their demands by laying a siege to Bangladesh Secretariat.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called upon the students not to force anyone to resign from his/her posts.
"Still there are many collaborators of the past fallen fascist government (Awami League) and they must be removed immediately. Otherwise, the nation will not forgive us," he added.
President of Jatiya Party (Zafar) Mostafa Jamal Haider was also present, among others.
Meanwhile, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Monday that the country would be able to overcome the present flood situation through students and people's joint efforts as they succeeded in ousting the terrible fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina.
"Today people of Bangladesh in 15 districts are now in dire situation due to ongoing devastating floods in the country," he said while inaugurating a mass relief collection programme for the flood victims at the party's headquarters at Nayapaltan in the capital.
"Many people have died so far and millions of people have been marooned by floods," he added.
"The people of Bangladesh could face the challenges caused by natural disasters. Today people of the country are united to face the floods," he maintained.
"We have defeated a terrible fascist regime (Sheikh Hasina) just some days ago through students and people's collective efforts. Similarly I also believe that we will be able to face the floods through students and people's united endeavour this time," he continued.
"I give my heartfelt thanks to those who have started sending relief materials to the party's relief committee," he maintained.
He thanked the party's relief committee convener and its members and requested them to expedite dispatching relief materials to the flood-hit people.
"We hope that we will succeed in tackling this disaster (ongoing floods) as per the directives of our party's acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and good wishes of our party Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia," he added.
At another event, BNP Chairperson's Adviser Zainul Abdin Farroque said on Monday that if India considers itself as a friend of Bangladesh then it (India) must repatriate deposed fascist ruler Sheikh Hasina to the country immediately (Bangladesh).
"We request the Modi government (India), please handover Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh immediately," he said at a human chain programme demanding extradition and punishment of Sheikh Hasina organised by Probash Online BNP group in front of the National Press Club.
"Your (Sheikh Hasina) so much happiness will not last long. Whatever peaceful days you are passing in India, the people of Bangladesh will bring you back to Bangladesh one day and ensure your trial," he continued.
"You (Sheikh Hasina) have committed so much heinous enforced disappearances of BNP leaders. You have killed students, children and people of the country by your forces. Filling cases have just started, more cases will be filed. You have to stand on the dock of the trial," he maintained.
"As a freedom fighter it would be meaningless to me if I couldn't see the trial of Sheikh Hasina," he stated.
Mr Zainul Abdin Farroque who served as chief whip during BNP government further said that the ghosts of Sheikh Hasina might create trouble in the country.
He called upon the patriotic forces of the country to get united and remain vigilant to thwart any conspiracy to create trouble in the country.
Pointing finger at Ansar Battalion members, he asked "Where were your demands during the 16 years? Why incident of bullet firing happened during clash with students near Bangladesh Secretariat)? Who are they? Why you (Ansar members) wore new clothes (uniforms)? Who provided the money? All will be revealed after investigation,"
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