NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen has alleged that the government is seeking to create a path for the activities banned Awami League to enjoy impunity.
He criticised Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed for describing the arson attack on the village home of National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Nusrat Tabassum Joty in Daulatpur, Kushtia, as a “fire at an abandoned house”.
He made this allegation at a rally organised outside the NCP office at Banglamotor in the capital on Thursday evening in protest against the arson at Nusrat Tabassum’s home.
Following the rally, leaders and activists of NCP’s Metropolitan unit and the party’s organ and associate organisations brought out a torch procession.
Akhter said, “We want to state clearly, when today the home minister calls that house, where several people have been living year after year and where several people slept and stayed last night, an abandoned house, it feels like the government is looking for a way to grant impunity to the Awami League and Awami League’s arson terrorism.”
He said that CCTV footage of the arson incident at the house showed fire being thrown from the outside. He demanded answers from the government as to why those involved in the attack have still not been arrested.
Akhter alleged that although Awami League’s violence and arson terrorism continue, the government is not taking strict action against the party. He remarked that Awami League is getting opportunities for sabotage due to the government’s weakness.
Citing the machete attack in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, on Hasib Al Islam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and president of Jatiya Chhatra Shakti’s Dhaka University branch, he said the government has failed to arrest the attackers even after 48 hours.
He also raised questions regarding the failure of intelligence agencies to detect and prevent Awami League activities.
Regarding allegations of financial transactions by BNP leaders behind the rehabilitation of Awami League in various places, Akhter said a member of parliament from the government side himself made such a statement.
In his view, this clearly demonstrates the government’s reluctance to take action against the Awami League.
Akhter also criticised those speaking in favour of reconciliation with or rehabilitation of the Awami League. He asserted, “We will not allow that Awami League, which committed this genocide in Bangladesh, to return to Bangladesh in any way.”
Akhter Hossen presented two demands to the government at the rally. Firstly, to immediately arrest those involved in the arson at Nusrat Tabassum’s house, bring them under the law, and ensure strict punishment.
Secondly, to bring Awami League leaders and activists to trial on charges of murder, genocide, and crimes against humanity. At the same time, he demanded bringing Awami League as a political party and those taking the party’s side under trial as well.
Akhter called for completing the trial of crimes against humanity committed during the July Mass Uprising within Bangladesh.
