Govt spreads confusion, says Khaleda

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday strongly condemned and protested the killings of a police officer's wife and a Christian grocer in broad daylight in Chittagong and Natore on Sunday.

She said the government instead of suppressing the militant activities and arresting the offenders were spreading confusion among people by shifting the blame on opposition.

"Taking this opportunity, the militants are becoming stronger. Though the extremists are carrying out killing incidents in broad daylight without any fear, the power-hungry people are not taking those into its consideration," the BNP chief observed.

Khaleda also demanded the government immediately arrest and mete out exemplary punishment to the real killers.

Unidentified criminals stabbed and shot dead Mahmuda Khanam, wife of Superintendent of Police Babul Akhter, in Chittagong city's GEC intersection.

Sixty-year-old Sunil Gomez was hacked to death by assailants inside his grocery shop at Bonpara Christian Palli in Baraigram upazila of Natore.

In a statement, Khaleda observed that the country has apparently become a death valley due to serial killings.

"This country where people have no right has turned into a death valley. People have to pass their every moment amid a terrible fear of losing their lives. Our existence as a nation will be at stake if we can't put up a strong resistance irrespective of politics and opinions to overcome the situation," she said.

Accusing the government of showing apathy to the recent killings, the BNP chief said, "A big question has arisen in public mind what is the mystery behind the barbaric incidents and what message the government and the militants are trying to send out?"