BNP blames AL for attacks on Hindus

It asks 18-party men to set up vigil for ensuring security of minorities

Opposition BNP on Tuesday held the ruling party ‘cadres’ responsible for the recent attacks and repression on minority communities and asked the 18-party men to prevent post-election violence against Hindus and other minority groups.

“The ruling party men as part of their strategy to shift the blame on the opposition are attacking the members of minority communities,” said BNP vice chairman Selima Rahman.

Just half-an-hour before her arrest, Selima came up with the allegation at a press briefing at her Gulshan residence.

She alleged the members of the Hindu community, their houses and property were being attacked in post-election violence carried out by the ruling party cadres.

“We strongly condemn any kind of terror attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities. We also call upon the country’s people to remain alert about ensuring the security of minorities,” the BNP leader added.

The minority communities in Jessore, Dinajpur, Satkhira, Chittagong and Thakurgaon districts came under attacks by miscreants following the 10th parliamentary elections held on Sunday amid the boycott the opposition parties, including BNP.

Selima, on behalf of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, asked the opposition leaders and activists of all levels to set up area-wise vigil across the country to prevent post-election violence against the minorities and ensure their security.

As her attention was drawn to media reports that BNP-Jamaat men were behind the attacks on the minorities, the former state minister said, “It’s not right.  BNP doesn’t believe in terrorism and violence. Ruling party men are involved in the attacks.”

Demanding fair investigations into the recent incidents, Selima said as the government found involvement of Jubo League and Chhatra League men in the incidents of petrol bomb blasts, torching buses and hurling bombs at the houses of justices, the investigations into the incidents are not progressing.

“So, the country’s people can understand who are carrying out terrorist cats and acts of sabotage.”

She alleged the government is trying to shift the blame onto the opposition for terror attacks by resorting to falsehood and propaganda to mislead the country’s people.