BNP too rules out Cricket Australia's militancy fears

BNP yesterday ruled out Australia's "militancy fears", as had the government, but accused Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu and some others of spreading "false information", saying it had prompted Cricket Australia to delay their arrival for a two-match Test series due to begin next month.

BNP, as had the home and commerce ministers and Bangladeshis, say that there is no militancy in Bangladesh, Spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon told a press conference at its Naya Paltan headquarters.

The party was concerned over the delay at a time when the Bangladesh cricket team was performing at its best, he said.

The Australians' observations have raised the question on how a religiously tolerant Bangladesh will face the challenge of "the propaganda", he said, urging all to brand Bangladesh afresh.

As per the original schedule, the Australian contingent was supposed to arrive here yesterday. They were scheduled to play a three-day warm up match against BCB XI in Fatullah on October 3 before the two Test matches -- October 9-13 in Chittagong and October 17-21 in Dhaka.