BNP wants probe panel headed by an ex-CJ

BNP demanded Sunday formation of a probe panel headed by a former Chief Justice (CJ) for ensuring a fair investigation in Narayanganj seven murders, reports UNB.
According to a decision of the party's standing committee, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi separately placed the demand.
Mirza Fakhrul was talking to journalists after placing wreath at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, marking the release of Swechchhasebak Dal president Habibun Nabi Sohel from jail.
Later, at a press briefing at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, Rizvi said the standing committee members at their meeting Saturday night demanded formation of an investigation team headed by a former chief justice with two other members -- ex-cabinet secretary and a leader of a human rights body -- for ensuring a fair probe.
Mirza Fakhrul criticised the Prime Minister for inviting the family members of seven victims to her Dhaka office on the day when the opposition leader will go to Narayanganj on Wednesday to meet them.
Fakhrul said that fixing a programme on the same day with the people with whom the opposition leader had a prescheduled meeting was devoid of political etiquette. "It's the culture of Awami League that they want to foil the programmes of the opposition."
Meanwhile, BNP has planned to hold a rally in the city's Demra area on May 17 in protest against the growing incidents of killing, abduction, forced disappearances.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia will address the rally.
The party will also stage demonstrations in all districts and upazilas across the country on May 18 while in all divisional cities on May 19.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of the party standing committee, the highest policymaking body of BNP, Saturday night.
The nearly one-and-a-half hour meeting began around 9:10 pm with Khaleda Zia in the chair at her Gulshan office.
Talking to the news agency, a standing committee member said the committee finalised Khaleda's Narayanganj visit Wednesday to console the family members of the seven victims.
"Most of the standing committee members suggested the party chief to enforce a nationwide hartal in protest against the killings and forced disappearances of BNP men and Narayanganj seven murders. But our chairperson rejected it fearing that the government might unleash fresh repressive acts against her party leaders and activists," said another standing committee member wishing anonymity.
Khaleda was also of the opinion not to pursue any tougher programmes before Ramadan.
BNP standing committee members RA Gani, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Lt Gen (retd) Mahbubur Rahman, Tariqul Islam, Rafiqul Islam Miah, Jamiruddin Sircar, Hannan Shah, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy and Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the meeting.
bdnews24.com report adds: The BNP will start an investigation into the Narayanganj multiple murders, party's spokesperson Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on the day.
"A retired justice will head a three-member investigation committee," he said after paying respects at the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.