FE REPORT
More sanctions will come if democratic environment is not restored in the country, cautioned BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury.
He said the government tries to prove that the trend of fair election is ongoing in the country through the results of the just held election to the Gazipur City Corporation.
"There were many talks about Gazipur City Corporation elections. As there was need to show a fair election, so the government did that," he said while addressing a function at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) at Segunbagicha in the city marking its 28th founding anniversary.
About fair election in the country, he said there must be a level playing field first then the issue of polls will come.
Mr Chowdhury said those who advocate holding pre-election discussions before restoring democratic environment in the country are just working in favour of the present government.
He alleged the media freedom is being muzzled through the Digital Security Act (DSA) by the government.
He said journalists are now under threat due to some quarters and many of them have already left the country.
He called upon all to work for bringing back the lost standard of journalism.
Mr Chowdhury said the new US visa policy will be effective for holding a free and fair election and ensure responsibility of the mass media.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lodged protests on the day against the attacks on party leaders and activists in their peaceful rallies across the country and Keraniganj in the capital.
Senior Joint Secretary General of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi along with other party leaders brought out a procession after Juma prayers at Naya Paltan in the city on Friday.
BNP Dhaka district unit general secretary Nipun Roy and around 50 workers of the party were injured during an attack on their peaceful rally in Keraniganj by ruling party men and police.
Condemning the attack, Mr Rizvi said the government will not be able to suppress their ongoing democratic movement by resorting to attack on their rallies.
He added their present anti-government movement will be intensified in the days to come.
Mr Rizvi said their ongoing movement aiming to restore democracy in the country has stirred the nation.
He hoped that a neutral caretaker government will be established after toppling the government.
He said the upcoming national elections will be held under a neutral caretaker government.
President of Dhaka district unit BNP Khandakar Abu Ashfaq, Jubo Dal leader Partho Dev Mandal, former vice-president of Chhatra Dal Omar Faruk Kawser and general secretary of Jagannath University unit Chhatra Dal Sujan Molla, among others, took part in the procession.
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