BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has condemned the attack on Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haque Nur and the violent clashes that broke out in Kakrail on Friday evening.
In a statement released early Saturday on his verified Facebook page, Tarique called for a thorough legal investigation into the incident and wished Nur a swift recovery.
“The BNP strongly condemns the assault on Nurul Haque Nur and the violent incidents that took place in Kakrail,” he wrote. “We are going through a fragile moment in our democratic transition, with the upcoming national election being a crucial first step. We must work collectively to prevent such instability from derailing our progress.”
Tarique urged all democratic forces, including BNP’s allies, to exercise restraint and tolerance. He stressed the need to uphold the spirit of last year’s mass uprising and to move away from a culture of mob violence and political disorder.
“To move Bangladesh forward, we must remain vigilant against mob culture, uphold the rule of law, and strive for a peaceful and stable nation,” Tarique said. “Only through democratic empowerment, and by ensuring justice, equality, and dignity for all, can we build a united and successful nation.”
The BNP leader also pressed the interim government to ensure an impartial probe into the attack.
The clashes erupted near the Jatiya Party’s central office in Kakrail, where workers of the party and Gono Odhikar activists confronted each other. Later in the evening, around 8:15pm, another round of violence flared between Gono Odhikar activists and law enforcement officials. Nur and several others were injured during the confrontation and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Large contingents of police and military personnel were deployed in the area to restore order.
