Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday warned BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia that she would have to face trial for her directives to create sabotage in the name of a movement.
“You [Khaleda] will be charged with crimes against humanity as per the charter of the United Nations, if you do not stop the nationwide terror. Your trial for the crimes will also be held in the people’s court,” he said.
Tofail, also an advisory council member of the Awami League, made the remarks while addressing a rally organised by Jatiya Sramik League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital.
He pointed out to Khaleda that no one in the world had realised their demand by resorting to terrorism and militant acts in the past. “You will not be able to do such a thing this time as well.
“The screams of the relatives of arson victims at the burn unit [of DMCH] have shaken Allah’s throne. Had it not been the case, then why did your son meet such a sudden death? The almighty Allah has created such a condition to make you feel that,” he said.
The commerce minister said Allah had taken the life of Khaleda Zia’s youngest son Arafat Rahman Koko to make her feel the pains and shocks of the mothers who had lost their children in violence during the BNP-led 20-party’s ongoing movement.
The minister, however, prayed to Allah for the eternal peace of Koko’s departed soul.
Arafat Rahman Koko, the youngest son of former president Ziaur Rahman and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, died in Malaysia on Saturday at the age of 45.
He urged the BNP chief to realise the pains of mothers who lost their sons and daughters in violence, as they are as shocked as Khaleda following the deaths of their near and dear ones.
Speaking at the rally, Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahbub-ul Alam Hanif alleged that BNP leaders and activists were violating the hartal and blockade programmes as they themselves rode vehicles while asking common people to avoid that.
“Please shun this double standard… We want to clearly tell you to stop petrol bomb attacks by your party cadres. The people of Bangladesh will annihilate your party leaders if any more people are killed in arson attacks on vehicles,” he added.
Awami League Labour Affairs Secretary Habibur Rahman Siraj and Jatiya Sramik League General Secretary Sirajul Islam, among others, addressed the programme chaired by Sramik League President Shukkur Mahmud.
Source: Dhaka Tirbune