US calls for an end to burning of buses and derailment of trains

State Department’s Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf made the comment while replying to a question at a regular press briefing in Washington on Friday.

“We’re (US) obviously gravely concerned by the ongoing unrest and violence in Bangladesh,” she said.

The BNP-sponsored blockade has unleashed a string of deadly violence throughout Bangladesh since Jan 5, the first anniversary of the 10th parliamentary elections that BNP and its allies boycotted.

The US earlier deplored in strongest possible terms the bus bombings, train derailments and deaths caused by severe burns.

It said there is ‘simply no justification’ for such actions in a democratic Bangladesh.

The UK also expressed its concern over the violence. India hoped that Bangladesh would resolve its crisis on its own.

The Deputy Spokesperson Harf on Friday also called on ‘all parties to instruct their members to refrain from violence’.

He also urged the government to provide the necessary space for peaceful political activities.

Replying to another question, she said to her knowledge Bangladesh government did not ask for any kind of help from the US in this current situation.

Asked whether the US sees this kind of violence as ‘terrorist activities’ as had been claimed by the government, she said, “Regardless of what you call it, it needs to stop.”

Source: Bd news24