Cases spoil Eid joy of BNP leaders\\\' families: Khosru

Families of the BNP leaders and activists could not enjoy the Eid-ul-Fitr this year because of the cases against them and 'harassment' by police, said BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's Adviser Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, reports bdnews24.com.
He claimed on Sunday, a day after the Eid, thousands of leaders and activists of the party had been thrown behind bars in 'fake cases'.
 "Many have fled. Many are victims of killings and abductions. Hundreds have been disabled.
 "They don't have Eid in their lives now. There is no Eid joy in their families," he said after exchanging Eid greetings with activists at his Chittagong home.
 BNP leaders and activists, including Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, are accused in a slew of cases related to deadly protests.
 Many of them are in jail, some are free on bail while the others are in hiding.
 Chowdhury said Bangladesh was passing the 'most difficult period after independence'.
 "No one has seen such an Eid."
 He said the protests were not only by the party but the people.
 "This is not only BNP's struggle. This is the struggle of 160 million (16 crore) people to bring back democracy, the rule of law, and the freedom of speech and the media," he said.
Meanwhile, Senior BNP leader Abdullah Al Noman has warned the government's repression of 'opposition leaders and activists' will aggravate the 'political crisis'.
The party vice-president was speaking at a function at Chittagong City's Kazir Deurhi around 12:00 noon on Sunday to exchange Eid greetings with party leaders, activists and professionals.
He said only a snap election could solve the present 'political crisis.'
The BNP leader described the last general election as a 'voter-less one-party poll' and referred to the prime minister's statement that 'the election was only to fulfil constitutional obligations'.
"The prime minister had pledged a prompt (snap) election at that time. So, she should keep her commitment by stepping down and holding an interim election," he said.
Noman urged the adherents to strengthen the party from the grassroots.
"A mass movement never fails; it (success) can only be delayed. Our victory will certainly come," he said.
Chittagong BNP leaders joined the event braving rain since morning.
Journalists and other professionals also attended the gathering organised by Noman.