The 11-party alliance on Wednesday announced a series of nationwide programmes protesting Indian “push-in” activities and the killing of Bangladeshi citizens along the border.
The announcement was made by the alliance’s coordinator and Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad, at a press conference held at the party’s central office in Moghbazar.
As part of the scheduled programmes, rallies will be held on Friday at all border districts and border points across the country, followed by a demonstration on June 15 at Shahbagh, Dhaka, protesting murder, rape, and worsening law and order.
Addressing the press conference, Azad said, the ongoing border killings and push-in incidents are alarming for the independence and sovereignty of Bangladesh. He alleged that India is attempting to force people into the country by ignoring international norms and legal procedures.
Azad claimed that over 50 push-in attempts have occurred in the last three months, while 19 Bangladeshis were killed by Indian border forces in the past 100 days. He described the government’s role in these matters as questionable.
He said extrajudicial killings are unacceptable in any civilised state and violate international human rights principles. He further urged the government to adopt a firm diplomatic position against these border atrocities.
The coordinator also maintained that opposition parties would not compromise on matters of national interest and sovereignty. He called on the government to move away from a “subservient” foreign policy and take a resolute stand to protect national interests.
National Citizen Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwary said he had witnessed the suffering and insecurity of people in border areas first-hand. He emphasised the necessity of making Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) more powerful and effective in addressing the situation.
Leaders from various parties within the 11-party alliance attended the conference.
