Bangladesh Nationalist Party- BNP, the party accused by the ruling Awami League of staging violent protests, has published a book styled ‘Petrol bomb terrorism: Awami League Behind It’.
Chairperson Khaleda Zia’s Adviser Khandker Mahbub Hossain unveiled the book at Supreme Court Bar Association office on Wednesday.
The BNP’s Human Rights Cell edited and published the book, which has a collection of news reports with publication date July 1.
launching the book, Khandker Mahbub said people backed by the government conducted petrol bomb attacks across Bangladesh to mar and make controversial the ‘successful blockade, shutdowns and movement led by Chairperson Khaleda Zia’.
Over 100 people were killed during the BNP’s three-month blockade from Jan 5. Most of them were killed in firebombing of vehicles.
The burns units of the hospitals struggled to treat hundreds of people injured in such arson attacks.
The government has been blaming the BNP for the killings. Khaleda is among the top leaders implicated in cases for allegedly instigating the violence.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said a special tribunal would be formed to try the BNP chief.
Refuting the government allegation, Khandker Mahbub said “We don’t believe in terrorism.”
Referring to an arson attack on a bus at Shahbagh during the BNP’s tenure in 2004, he said, “Petrol bomb attack on public transport was instigated by the Awami League.”
Law not equal for all
Meanwhile, BNP alleged that the law is not equal for all in Bangladesh at the moment, as the trials of the courts can’t be held independently due to the government’s influence.
“The law is not equal for all now. Trial is different depending on person. We see the same tree bears two types of fruits. The law is taking its course promptly for someone while very slowly for some others,” said BNP spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon.
Addressing a press briefing on Wednesday, he further said, “The law and justice can’t be ensured due to the government’s influence. Even though we want to keep confidence in the wisdom and fairness of the judges.”
Ripon came up with the remarks as reporters sought his comment over the High Court’s rejection of two petitions filed by BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the inclusion and legality of the Gatco graft case against her.
Earlier in the day, an HC bench comprising Justice Md Nuruzzaman and Justice Abdur Rab passed the order turning down Khaleda’s two petitions and asked her to surrender before the lower court in two months.
Ripon said though rejecting anybody’s petitions and asking anybody to surrender before a court is a matter of trail, their party is observing that the law is not taking its due course for all. “Law should be equally applied for all.”
“We’re observing that the date for hearing on the graft cases of former president HM Ershad in tribunal is being set several months later while the hearing date of our chairpersons in another tribunal is being fixed every week,” he said.
Referring to the changes of judges of tribunals dealing with Ershad and Khaleda’s cases, the BNP leader said the changed tribunal judge started fresh hearing on Ershad’s case, but it did not happen in regard of their party chair’s case. “The new tribunal judge could start fresh hearing in our chairperson’ Zia Orphanage Trust and Zia Charitable Trust graft cases.”
Ripon said the cases against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party men were withdrawn as they are in power. “The trail of cases filed against our party leaders will continue as we’re not in power. She (Hasina) had also been accused in Gatco and Niko graft cases, but those were withdrawn. That’s why we’re saying the law is not applying equally for all.”
The BNP leader also observed that the anarchy and social disorder are taking heavy toll on the society due to the culture of impunity for the ruling party men.
He urged Chief Justice S K Sinha to take initiative for ensuring the rule of law, justice and equal use of law for all.
The BNP spokesman also appreciated Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam for his remark that they want the politics of unity, not the politics of division. “Syed Ashraf spoke about national unity and giving due honour to the national leaders. We also hold the similar view, but national unity can’t be forged by neglecting or belittling anyone,” he said.
Ripon also harshly criticised senior AL leader Amir Hossain Amu for what he termed ‘derogatory remarks’ about BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Source: Weekly Holiday
