UNB, Dhaka :BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday called for forging a national unity against militancy and extremism.He, however, regretted that a national unity cannot be forged due to bad politics. The BNP leader came up with the remarks while talking to reporters at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.”We’re very concerned over some recent incidents, including the murders of two foreigners, in the country. You’ve observed many people from many places are now talking about the presence of militancy in Bangladesh. Militancy is now a big problem all over the world and conscious people who believe in democracy are united against it,” he said.Fakhrul further said, “But, unfortunately there has been a bad politics in Bangladesh over the issue, blocking the path of national unity. Even no initiative has been taken to this end. We think it’s now very crucial to garner a national unity with all concerned, including the political parties and conscious citizens. It’s the government who has to take an initiative for that.”He also criticised the ministers and ruling party leaders for their contradictory statements over the killing of foreigners. “Some people are blaming IS for it while some others linking it to internal terrorism. It’ll only deepen the crisis. We fear if the current situation continues, the extremists may take advantage of the lack of democracy in the country and no one of us wants it to happen.”Fakhrul said a democratic atmosphere is necessary instead of doing bad politics over the current situation so that the militants and extremists cannot raise their ugly heads. “We want a democratic environment and there’s no alternative to democracy.”The BNP acting secretary general observed that a quarter is doing a parochial politics over the current situation emerged through the killing of two foreign nationals. “A greater thinking is now a must in the interest of the nation and it’s necessary to unite the entire nation. That’s why we’re repeatedly calling for creating a democratic atmosphere and space and showing tolerance.”Fakhrul urged the government to bring the real killers of the two foreigners by carrying out fair investigations rising above narrow politics. “The government should stop its drive to arrest opposition men implicating them in false cases over the issue.”Asked how he expects a national unity as the Prime Minister blamed BNP for the killing of two foreigners, Fakhrul said the government should try to create the national unity changing its position if it truly loves the country and its people and believes in the country’s independence.
