‘Killing’ of People by Police: BNP announces two-day demo

BNP yesterday announced demonstrations on Monday and Tuesday, protesting what it said was the "killing" of people in different parts of the country on Independence Day.

Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir came up with the announcement at a press conference at BNP chairperson's Gulshan office in Dhaka, following a virtual meeting of BNP standing committee members.

However, the party did not formally extend its support to Hefajat-e-Islam's dawn-to-dusk hartal -- to be enforced across the country today, protesting the killing of its activists and attack on them on Friday.

Fakhrul said they will stage demonstrations and bring out processions in every city across the country, including Dhaka, on Monday protesting the killing of people in "peaceful demonstration" on Independence Day (Friday).

He said they will also hold similar programmes on Tuesday in all district towns.

Asked whether BNP supports Hefazat's hartal, Fakhrul dodged the question saying they are only going to protest the killing of people on Independence Day.

"I'm saying very specifically that every organisation and every citizen has a constitutional right to register protest or express his/her views. We announced the programme to protest the firing on those who tried to exercise their right of freedom of expression," he said.

The BNP leader said Hefazat has the right to enforce a hartal by exercising their democratic rights.

He also said it will be an undemocratic and reckless act if the government tries to resist or stop those who have convened the hartal.

"No one can expect such an action by the government. The government has to shoulder the responsibility if any unwarranted situation arises in the country over the matter."

He alleged that the ruling party has been trying to suppress the opposition and dissent by "resorting to killing, enforced disappearance and repressive acts in order to retain its illegitimate power".