Opposition BNP on Wednesday said they considered the absence of the diplomats of the European Union (EU) in the Victory Day programme at Savar a sign of protest against the government’s efforts to hold a farcical election.
“The absence of the envoys of the European Union (EU) in the Victory Day state programme at the National Mausoleum is not a usual matter. We think it’s a mark of protest against the government’s undemocratic attitude and the farce in the name of election,” said senior BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan.
Addressing a press briefing at BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office about the second day of the 18-party’s 72-hour blockade, he also termed the incident shameful one for the nation.
The EU envoys in Dhaka on Monday did not attend the Victory Day programme at Savar citing a reason for their urgent ‘coordination meeting’ on Bangladesh’s current situation but attended the reception hosted by the President at Bangabhaban.
Nazrul, also a BNP standing committee member, urged the government to come to the path of understating staying aside from the unilateral election.
“Accept the mass people’s demand for arranging the 10th parliamentary election under a non-party government and come to the path of negotiation in the interest of the country and its people,” he said pointing at the government.
Nazrul also demanded the government release the all arrested leaders of the party and withdraw all the cases filed against them.
He claimed that people made their second day blockade programme a success with their spontaneous participation braving the repressive acts by the law enforcers and the ruling party men.
The BNP leader said over 487 opposition leaders and activists were injured in attacks by law enforcers and the ruling party cadres across the country.
Besides, he claimed police arrested 373 opposition men and filed ‘false cases’ against 2007 others.
Asked whether the EU diplomats violated the diplomatic norms by not attending the state function, he said, “The European Union is an institution of the democratic countries of the Europe. This matter is little whether their non-attendance is right or devoid of diplomatic norms. It’s a shameful incident for us and it’s happened because of the government’s undemocratic attitude.”
About the Biswajit murder case verdict, he said, “Many people were killed under the current regime. But no one got justice. It’s good news the Biswajit murder case disposed of promptly.”
Source: UNB Connect
