Staff Reporter :BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has accused the government of directly involving in the abductions, forced disappearances and secret killings taking place since 2009. She wants international investigation into the incidents under supervision of the United Nations (UN). “I have made such demand because investigation under the Awami League government will not be fair and impartial,” said the former prime minister. She said this at a meeting with the family members of the victims of abductions and forced disappearances at her Gulshan office in the city on Sunday evening. The meeting was arranged on the occasion of the ‘International Day of the Disappearance’. Khaleda Zia expressed her solidarity with the crying family members and the relatives of the victims. Family members and relatives of at least 26 victims joined the meeting. Among them, Tahsina Rushdir Luna, wife of missing BNP organising secretary M Ilias Ali, Parveen Akhter, wife of Noakhali’s Hajipara U/P Chairman Omar Faruk, Marufa Islam, sister of Tejgoan Juba Dal leader Sajedul Islam Sumon, Md Shamsuddin, father of Bimanbandar Thana Chhatra Dal leader Nijam Uddin Munna, and Khadiza Begum, mother of Mazharul Islam Rassel.BNP senior leaders Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, Nazrul Islam Khan, Shah Moazzem Hossain and Major (retd) Hafizuddin Ahmed Birbikram also attended the programme, among others. Khaleda Zia said that there was no abduction and forced disappearance in the country. The heinous incidents began during the regime of the Awami League. There is no democracy and human rights in the country, she said. “No body is safe now, nor I am. I may also be a victim of the abduction. Those who are involved with the abduction and forced disappearance, will be tried once. BNP will hold the trial if it returns to power,” she said. The BNP Chairperson also criticised the government for arresting and harassing leaders and workers of the BNP. The government is detaining leaders and workers of her party in false and fabricated cases. The victims’ relatives also spoke in the meeting. They called for fair investigation. Tahsina Rushdir Luna said that the government created pressure on the eyewitnesses of disappearance incident of her husband Ilias Ali. She expressed her annoyance with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for not paying any attention in this regard. Md Shamsuddin said that police picked up his son Munna and another person. He alleged that the police did not file his case in this regard. He is still waiting for his son.
