My tenure was peaceful: Ershad

FE Team | Published: May 23, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

HM Ershad said there were no disappearances and murders in Bangladesh when he was in power, reports bdnews24.com.
Lamenting the current state of law and order in the country, the Jatiya Party (JP) chief said, "Bangladesh is now a death pit. All I read in the papers are news of murders and abductions. There is not a day when these crimes don't happen. The nation has lost its conscience."
"Is this the Bangladesh we wanted," said the deposed dictator. "Is there no way to stop this? These didn't happen during my time. People used to sleep in peace."
Ershad was addressing a meeting of JP-leaning transport owners and workers of Dhaka at the party's Banani office on Thursday.
He also advised the Awami League government not to 'interfere' in police investigations.
"The government can stop these killings if they want. Just let the police do their job and stop making political approaches."
"These didn't happen during our time because we believe that those who indulge in crimes are criminals, and have no other identities."
Ershad then said the former opposition party, BNP, and its 'vengeful politics' was responsible for the deterioration in law and order.
JP replaced BNP as main opposition after the Jan-5 election, which the party participated despite Ershad's reluctance. His wife Raushon Ershad now heads the Opposition in the 10th Parliament.
"BNP is responsible for this politics. You can't win people's support with jealousy. You need to love to win their hearts."
He claimed the BNP during its past tenure 'killed a judge' and 'created Bangla Bhai', an extremist who was later hanged for terror activities. Ershad also blamed the BNP for the serial blasts that rocked all 64 districts of the country in 2005.
"We believe in love, not bombs," said the former president.
"They came to power and stopped Pathakali Trust, Upazila. Were those only for me? They were for the people. Who eventually suffered for this?
Ershad said JP can bring the change that people wanted to see and urged his workers to strengthen the party.