First day hartal demonstrated mass upsurge, says Fakhrul
With the country’s political situation getting complicated, opposition BNP on Sunday turned skeptical about the government’s sincerity for reaching an understanding over the election cabinet through talks because of its ‘continued repressive acts’.
“We’re in doubt about the government’s sincerity and transparent efforts for talks though it’s uttering about dialogue and negotiation. They’ve continued their obstinate and imprudent attitude as in the past days,” said BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
Briefing reporters at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office about the first day of the 18-party’s 60-hour nationwide shutdown, he threatened that people will resort to the path of united resistance to face the government’s repressive acts, attacks and terrorism.
Mentioning that there is no alternative to engaging in dialogue to remove the persisting, fear, restlessness and anarchy, the BNP leader said, “The prime agenda of the talks must be the polls-time non-party government. Otherwise, the government’s call for compromise and dialogue won’t be credible to people.”
He reminded the government that the much-sought gentle wind of peace will not blow if the government continues its doublespeak as it is talking about dialogue on one hand and carrying out repressive acts on the other to annihilate the opposition.
The BNP spokesman claimed that a mass upsurge took place on the first day of their hartal enforced to force the government to arrange the next polls under a nonpartisan interim government as people spontaneously took to the streets across the country braving obstructions by the law enforcers and ruling party ‘cadres’.
He alleged that the government got desperate and let loose the members of police, Rab, BGB and ruling party cadres on the common people to foil the opposition’s justified movement for establishing people’s voting rights.
Fakhrul claimed that three opposition men were killed in firings and attacks by the law enforcers and ruling party cadres during the 11 hours of the 60-hour shutdown.
Besides, he said police arrested over 600 opposition activists across the country during the hartal hours, while more than 1,500 were injured in attacks by law enforcers and ‘ruling party cadres’.
Over 15,000 opposition men were implicated in fresh ‘false’ cases and 12 activists sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by mobile courts, he further claimed.
The BNP leader criticised the government for its double standard as ruling party men continue their processions and rallies under police protection while opposition supporters are being denied to exercise their democratic rights to do so on the plea of a police ban.
Fakhrul urged the government to immediately withdraw the ban on rallies and procession in the city.
He also announced that the vehicles carrying A Level and O Level examinees, hajj pilgrims, engaged in emergency services, ambulance and media vehicles and food shops and kitchen markets will remain out of the purview of their 60-hour nonstop countrywide hartal.
Asked about the crude bomb attacks on the VIP offices and residences and other subversive acts, Fakhrul said the agents of the government are carrying out these obnoxious acts to foil and malign the opposition’s democratic movement.
He urged the government to track down those involved in the heinous incidents and bring them to justice.
Denouncing the attacks on media vehicles, the BNP leaders urged the 18-party leaders and activists to refrain from attacking any vehicle carrying journalists.
Earlier in the day at another press briefing, Fakhrul thanked the Prime Minister for her phone call to the opposition leader to invite to talks to resolve the polls-time cabinet issue and said their ongoing hartal programme will not hamper the dialogue.
The BNP spokesperson said it is the government which will have to take the initiative for the talks. “However, the dialogue must be held on the formation of polls-time non-party government, not an all-party government as per the Prime Minister’s proposed formula.”
Mirza Fakhrul also said there was no scope to withdraw the 60-hour countrywide hartal, but added that the next course of action of the opposition alliance will depend on the government’s attitude.
Source: UNBConnect