Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has said BNP leader Khaleda Zia should apologise for “dishonouring” the people, army and law enforcers of Bangladesh by her remarks about the joint forces’ drive in Satkhira.
The BNP Chairperson’s comments during Monday’s 18-Party alliance’s rally at Suhrawardy Udyan were ‘disappointing’ and ‘ominous for the people,’ Inu told a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
In her address, the BNP chief spoke on several issues including joint forces’ operations in Satkhira, Hifazat-e Islam’s demonstrations, the government, Parliament and judgment of war criminals, the minister noted.
“Her comments about joint forces’ operation in Satkhira have humiliated the country, its people, law enforcers and the armed forces.”
“Her irresponsible claims echoed the outrageous story published by Inqilab. Such behaviour does not augur well for the people and democracy.”
The minister said the BNP chief should be more careful while commenting on Bangladesh’s law enforcers who work loyally and diligently against terror activities.
“Khaleda Zia will have to stop making dishonest and strange remarks, and apologise to the people.”
Daily Inqilab published a story on its front page on Jan 6 claiming the government “requested assistance from the Indian Army to stifle people in Satkhira who were campaigning for Caretaker government.”
Following the report, police empowered with the ICT Act, arrested three of its journalists and sealed the press of the daily, founded by late Mawlana Abdul Mannan identified as war criminal during the Liberation War of 1971.
Khaleda Zia, on her first public rally, after the Jan 5 election, said people were unsure if those operating in Satkhira were really members of the Joint forces.
Satkhira had been a hotbed of Jamaat-e-Islami’s terror and lawlessness after the International Crimes Tribunal delivered verdicts on their leaders Abdul Quader Molla and Delwar Hossain Sayedee, convicting them for crimes against humanity in 1971.
At least 20 leaders and activists of the Awami League were killed there in attacks. Several Jamaat leaders died in clashes after joint forces– made up of police, RAB and BGB personnel– began operations on Dec 15.
The information minister, commenting on Khaleda Zia’s remark said, “Lying has become a fashion for her. She wants to place all her guilt on others. She has to shoulder the blame for the attack on Hindus.”
He said the BNP chief was hatching a conspiracy by calling the elected government ‘illegal’.
‘There can be no dialogue with BNP if its chief continues to call war criminals political prisoners and allow militancy and attacks on innocents.’
Source: Bd news24