BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Tuesday said that about 300 leaders and activists of the BNP-led 19-party alliance fell victims of murder and forced disappearance in one month from December 26 by joint forces and Awami League cadres.
Begum Zia made the allegation at a crowded press conference at Hotel Westin on the day while giving narration of “torture and repression” on the BNP led alliance persons. It was Begum Zia’s second press meet since January 5 parliamentary polls, which was boycotted by the BNP-led alliance as it was not held under a non-party caretaker government.
Begum Zia said 242 leaders and activists of the alliance were killed while 60 others disappeared during the period.
Khaleda brought references from different reports of the local and international human rights groups and media on the killings and disappearances of the 19-party combine leaders and activists to substantiate her claims of the government’s repression on the opposition men.
Begum Khaleda Zia also called for independent inquiry in to the killings and demanded withdrawal of false cases against the 19-party men. She drew attention of all international organisations including the United Nations to take initiatives to stop the killings in Bangladesh. “The path of extremism is being expanded by resorting to the repression and killings of the people,” she said.
On January 15, Begum Zia spoke on the latest political situation after the 10th parliamentary election.
Responding to ruling party’s call of severing ties with Jamaat-e-Islam, she said, “We will decide ourselves. Who are they to dictate us?”
The decision to boycott the January 5 parliament election was right. “We did not make any mistake, she said. Rather, the illegal government has done the fault by holding a one-sided election.” She did not attach any importance to the recently conducted survey by US based Democratic International on Bangladesh election. In response to a question of March for Democracy programme, she said supporters of the alliance were around but the government had enforced blockade. Out of fear the government did not allow the opposition leaders and activists to come out on the streets.
In response to a question about their position not to participate in any election under the present Election Commission how the BNP led alliance persons are taking part in the upazila election. Khaleda said it is local government election where any one can participate. “We had mentioned the election which changes the government. Because free, fair and credible elections cannot be held under them.”
Again urging to initiate a dialogue to find a way out of the political stalemate, the BNP Chairperson said, “We will not continue to call for the dialogue forever. We will wait for a certain period and then we will begin our movement.”
Begum Zia called for holding an immediate election under a non-party arrangement to bring the country back to the path of democracy. Responding to a question when she wants to start the movement, Begum Zia said we are giving time to the government for taking an initiative. “We also need to reorganise ourselves as many of our leaders and activists were killed and others are in jail.”
The government, she alleged has also indulged in wholesale arrest and killing of the 19-party men.
BNP standing committee members and alliance leaders were among others , present at the press conference.
