Govt using arms to curb opposition: Hannan Shah

 Alleging that the government is trying to curb the opposition parties by using arms, BNP senior leader ASM Hannan Shah on Friday said it is impossible for such a government to establish democracy in the country.

“The government has issued 7,000 licences of firearms to Chhatra League, Jubo League and Swechchhasebak League cadres. These arms are now being used frequently in different parts of the country. The government which uses arms to curb its opposition parties can never establish democracy in the country,” he said.

Hannan Shah came up with the remarks at a discussion at the Jatiya Press Club.

Zia Parishad, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the programme, marking the 7th anniversary of the release of BNP chief Khaleda Zia and its senior vice chairman Tarique Rahman from jail.

The BNP leader said the government will have to bear the responsibility for the killing of opposition leaders and innocent people by using the arms provided to the party men.

Observing that the country’s people no longer want to see this government in power, he said ministers and ruling party MPs are getting very depressed as they take people’s pulses when they visit their respective constituencies.

The BNP leader also alleged that the country has now turned into a large jail as there is no freedom and people cannot express their opinions.

Hannan Shah said Khaleda Zia went to London to discuss the party’s overhaul process alongside her treatment, and pass time with her near and dear ones.

He also slammed the ruling party leaders for their comments that the BNP chief went to London for hatching conspiracy, saying, “Its Awami League, not BNP, is plotting against the country’s people.”

The BNP leader also observed that those who had been involved in the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman are now active in Awami League’s politics.

BNP chairperson’s adviser Shamsuddin Dudu also spoke at the discussion presided over by Zia Parishad vice-chairman Dr Abdul Quddus.

Source: UNB