More than 40 leaders and activists of the BNP have been killed in internal feuds over the past nine months since the party formed the government, claimed National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhter Hossen on Wednesday.
He also questioned the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs in maintaining law and order amid the killings.
Akhtar made the allegations while addressing a human chain organised by Jatiya Nari Shakti at Shahbagh in the capital on Wednesday afternoon.
“On the one hand, government ministers take up arms to restore law and order and eradicate drugs. On the other hand, the sons of MPs from the ruling party beat people to death and assault others with the intention of killing them,” he said.
Alleging that the son of a BNP lawmaker had killed a Chhatra Dal leader in Natore, Akhtar said the Ministry of Home Affairs had failed to take action over such incidents.
“However, we do not see any action being taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding these matters,” he said.
Criticising the government, Akhtar alleged that despite public expectations of building a safe Bangladesh following the 2024 mass uprising, several people, including Sathi Akter and Ashraful Islam Sajol, had been arrested for expressing those aspirations.
“Those who have been arrested, including Sathi Akter, must be released immediately. The cases against them must be withdrawn, and they must be compensated,” he said.
Akhtar further alleged that the BNP government was attempting to establish a caretaker government of its own choosing through the Constitution Amendment Committee, disregarding the people’s mandate.
He said the NCP would continue its street movement to ensure that people did not suffer in future over disputes concerning the caretaker government system and the peaceful transfer of power.
The NCP leader also raised concerns over the lack of trials concerning the violence of 28 October 2006, the Pilkhana killings, the Shapla Chattar incident, Aynaghor, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
He further alleged that genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 2024 mass uprising had yet to be prosecuted.
Akhtar also claimed that individuals associated with the Awami League and accused in genocide cases were being awarded contracts worth millions of taka by Dhaka North City Corporation.
Calling for greater security and rights for women, Akhtar said women continued to face harassment in workplaces, educational institutions, on the streets and on social media.
He urged women to join Jatiya Nari Shakti and work towards establishing their rights.
