BNP-Jamaat carrying out secret killings

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday accused the BNP-Jamaat alliance of carrying out secret killings in the country.

"The BNP-Jamaat combine has been carrying out secret killings after failing to get success through firebombs and after being rejected by the people," her assistant press secretary Asif Kabir quoted her as saying at the Gono Bhaban.

Hasina said this during her meeting with the family members of slain Pekua upazila Awami League president AKM Shahabuddin Farazi.

Criminals killed Farazi on October 6.

Farazi's family alleged that local BNP men might be involved in the murder. They also said criminals poured acid on the body to destroy evidence, Asif told reporters.

Hasina later presided over a meeting where party seniors discussed Saturday's attack on publishers that left one dead and three injured.

AL leaders Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Syed Ashraful Islam, Obaidul Quader, Rashedul Alam, Abdul Mannan Khan and Abdus Sobhan Golap were there.

At the meeting, the leaders claimed that a vested quarter was plotting to make the country unstable, sources said.

Hasina said her party leaders and activists were being attacked across the country and stressed the need for united protest against such incidents, the sources added.

The meeting also discussed the upcoming municipality elections.

The PM said although the local body polls would be held in a partisan manner, councillor and member candidates should not be provided party election symbols. Only mayoral and chairman candidates should get it, sources quoted her as saying.

The parliamentary board meeting was convened to choose party candidate for Moulvibazar-3 by-election.