Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju has said that the Rohingya crisis has become an immense burden on Bangladesh, with the residents of Cox’s Bazar bearing the heaviest impact.
Speaking at a press briefing titled “Rohingya Refugee Crisis and Security Situation of Cox’s Bazar” held at the Cox’s Bazar Press Club on Saturday afternoon, the AB Party chief demanded the rapid repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, stressing that the process must be handled humanely and that refugees should not be “thrown into the fire”.
Rohingya repatriation
Monju noted that dialogues regarding the crisis have already taken place with China and highlighted that co-operation from the United States is also essential. He urged all stakeholders to ensure that Rohingya repatriation takes place within the shortest possible timeframe.
Law and order concerns
Critiquing the performance of the administration, Monju identified the law and order situation as one of ten major failures of the government. He observed that despite assigning a powerful figure, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the administration has exhibited its greatest failure in maintaining law and order.
He pointed out that the police force has not been reorganised as needed. Referring to a recent statement by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) that “police are ready to crossfire if the government wants,” Monju argued that this demonstrates a distinct lack of proper government directives.
He further alleged that while the government acts strictly against opposition leaders, it is lenient towards its own party activists, pointing out that no action had been taken against Chaitali Roy despite her involvement in a serious act of treason.
Ruling party in-fighting and economic excuses
The AB Party chief questioned the lack of discipline within the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), asking why party activists who remained united throughout 17 years of hardship cannot be controlled after coming to power.
He noted that tendencies such as tender manipulation and land grabbing have emerged among BNP members, which party leadership has failed to curb.
Monju disclosed that internal feuds within the BNP have resulted in around 50 deaths within a short period, forcing one Member of Parliament to surrender both their MP seat and ministerial position.
He dismissed the BNP’s claims attributing the country’s economic crisis to global factors and the Iran war, warning that citizens will not tolerate ruling party leaders enjoying wealth and luxury while the public suffers.
Drawing a historical parallel with the post-independence Awami League government, which asked the public for time but ultimately betrayed public trust as leaders and their offspring accumulated wealth, Monju warned that such governments could not survive in the past and will not survive in the future.
Sheikh Hasina’s return
Addressing the return of former prime minister and President of the activities banned Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, Monju said she should return in the same manner she left.
He assured that the AB Party has no objection to her return and would co-operate with the government regarding her security, provided she is handed over to law enforcement authorities as a death-row convict.
The press conference was also attended by AB Party Office Secretary Advocate Abdullah Al Rana, Central Refugee Affairs Secretary Shamsul Haq Sharek, and Cox’s Bazar Press Club President Mahbubur Rahman, among others.
