Govt out to bolster one-party rule: BNP

BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged on Tuesday that the government has completed its all measures to bolster its one-party rule by snatching people's basic rights, reports UNB.
"All the basic rights of people are being snatched one after another.  The government which assumed office with the support of only five per cent people has completed all the processes to fortify its one-party rule," he said.
Addressing a press conference at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, the BNP leader warned the government that it will not be able to stay in power forever by snatching people's basic and democratic rights.
The press conference was arranged to protest the government move to debar the party from holding its scheduled discussion at the Institute of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh at Kakrail in the capital, marking the February 25-26 (2009) carnage inside the BDR (now BGB) headquarters at the city's Peelkhana.
On February 25, 2009, hundreds of BDR (now BGB) men staged an armed revolt at Darbar Hall during a three-day 'BDR Week' inside its Peelkhana headquarters and killed 74 people, including 57 deputed army officers.
Mentioning that they had sought permission for the meeting on February 17, the BNP spokesman and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities even last night assured them of giving permission.  "We've come to know in the morning that police denied us permission."
Fakhrul condemned the government action and demanded immediate withdrawal of the ban on holding rallies and other democratic programmes.
"In a democratic country, it's not necessary to take permission for staging such a meeting. But our government is not allowing us to hold rallies and processions even after seeking permission. We've long been protesting it and asking it to allow us exercising our democratic rights," he said.
Turning to the Peelkhana carnage issue, Fakhrul said there is a question now crossing the public mind whether the trial of the BDR massacre case was proper one or not as it was done hurriedly.
He further alleged that the masterminds of the bloody incident were not brought to book. "The BDR carnage is not an isolated incident.  Those wanted to make the country a vassal sate were behind it. The political leaders were implicated in the case to hide the main perpetrators and plotters. Action was not taken against the real offenders."
"A dreadful scandalous incident of BDR carnage took place on February 25 that killed 57 army officers… BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia earlier requested not to hold any colourful programme on the shocking day.  But the splendour illumination in the name of inauguration of the Asia Cup on day is a disrespect to those killed in the incident," the BNP acting secretary alleged.