BNP dubs militants' escape 'a drama'

The opposition BNP on Monday voiced doubts over whether the escape from police custody staged by two convicted militants was genuine, or a drama staged by the government to perpetuate power.

"What a lame excuse that the convicted militants were snatched using (pepper spray). How could it be that the militants were brought by a single police member? It’s an impossible matter,” said party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Speaking at a press conference at BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office, he also said, “So, a question has arisen in the public mind whether that militant drama is being staged again so that they (govt) can hang onto power some more time.”

The BNP leader also hoped that the government would stay away from such an evil plot.

Fakhrul said police can shoot dead opposition leaders and activists in their peaceful programmes, but they cannot do anything when the militants escape.

He alleged that the government also tried to play a game in the name of ‘arson violence' earlier, but it did not get support from the media.

"The law enforcers have been talking about militants for some days and they have now made (two militants) disappear. These militants were involved in the murder of Avijit, who was a US citizen. There is no scope to take the matter lightly,” Fakhrul said.

Earlier on Sunday, two convicted militants escaped from police custody near Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in the capital.

December 10 rally to be held at Nayapaltan

Fakhrul said their party’s last divisional rally, in Dhaka on December 10, would be held in front of their party’s Nayapaltan central office.

He said their party submitted a letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police authority last week seeking permission to arrange the programme at Nayapaltan.

The BNP leader said the government will no longer create barriers to BNP’s rallies if even minimum sense prevails upon it.

He alleged that 96 cases were filed against BNP leaders and workers across the country between August 22 to September 11 last making 4,412 people identified accused and 10, 664 unidentified ones.

Besides, Fakhrul said 445 opposition leaders and activists were arrested during the same period.

He also alleged that the government is filing false cases against BNP leaders and activists and arresting them, getting scared of a wave of people attending the party’s divisional rallies.

The BNP leader also said the government has started implicating BNP leaders and activists in different cases and conducting raids on the houses of the opposition leaders as part of its plan to prevent a massive gathering on December 10, reports UNB.