National Citizen Party (NCP) spokesperson Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Monday demanded criminal proceedings against those involved in a weapon-brandishing incident, saying resignation should not be used to shield anyone from legal consequences.
Speaking to journalists, he said criminal offences must be dealt with under the law, regardless of whether the accused is a minister or an ordinary citizen.
“We are seeing that people are being shielded from further consequences by being made to resign over criminal offences,” he said.
Asif Mahmud argued that resignation was not a punishment for a criminal offence and that those responsible must face justice through the legal process.
He also questioned the government’s ability to maintain law and order, citing a state minister’s involvement in efforts to combat drug trafficking.
“When a state minister has to go out to eradicate drugs, it clearly means that no other institution is functioning,” he said, questioning the effectiveness of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Referring to the weapon-brandishing incident, he said even licensed firearms were subject to regulations governing their use.
He also pointed to the presence of an automatic rifle carried by another person at the scene, alongside weapons held by several others, and called for their legality to be verified.
“This is a law and order issue, this is a criminal offence, and it should be addressed as a criminal offence,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with an earlier incident of vandalism during a gathering, Asif Mahmud alleged that demands for resignation could divert attention from prosecuting the underlying offence.
He warned that unlawful conduct by people holding positions of responsibility in government could encourage others to break the law.
“I did not receive a certificate to murder someone just because I participated in the July Mass Uprising previously. Similarly, someone having made a good contribution previously does not grant them a certificate to break the law today,” he said.
Emphasising equal application of the law, he added, “What I need to see is whether the law of my country is being implemented.”
