Sagar Biswas :Contradictory statements have been made by two influential ministers about filing a murder case against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia for her alleged involvement in atrocities in the recent days.When Inu categorically held Khaleda Zia responsible for the incidents of arson and asked her to prepare to face murder charges, the State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that the government has no such plan in this regard. “Khaleda will face murder charges. She should prepare to face trial. She may be arrested in connection with torching of a CNG-run three-wheeler at Kazipara in capital city Dhaka on December 28. The Ministry of Home Affairs is considering to file a case against her in this connection,” he said at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday.”If the contractor faces murder trial for the death of Jihad, who died after falling in a pipe then who is liable for the atrocities in the last three years. Isn’t Khaleda Zia the one who instigated those?” he also asked.The Minister made this statement at a time when the BNP chief has been kept virtually under confinement at her Gulshan office in Dhaka by the law enforcers since last couple of days. Besides, restrictions have also been imposed over her movement by the police. A large number of law enforcers equipped with water cannon and other sophisticated equipment have been deployed in front of the main gate of BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office.But interestingly, the Minister in the same press conference denied the confinement of Khaleda Zia and said that some restrictive measures were taken to ‘restrict her from instigating alliance leaders and activists’.”She hasn’t been confined…it’s only that she has been restrained from instigating her workers,” he said in response to a query of newsmen. “Since announcing the January 5 rally, Khaleda Zia is delivering speech instigating her supporters to carry out anarchy. She has been kept refrained from further instigation. Actually, the BNP were planning to create an abnormal situation in the name of peaceful rally,” he added.Meanwhile, the State Minister for Home Affairs Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, however, denied Information Minister’s claim to file murder case against Khaleda Zia. “I don’t know anything about the matter [arrest of Khaleda]. The government still not took any decision to file murder case individually against Khaleda. But the government will take stern action if anyone tries to create anarchy in the country…,” Kamal said. Detailing the procedure of filing a murder case, he said, “A murder case can be filed against the person who gives order to kill, or who gets involve with the killing. So I think what the Information Minister said probably known to him. However, we will verify the matter.”Kamal further said, “The police have imposed ban on rallies and meetings in the capital. Whereas Khaleda Zia expresses determination to hold rally. So the doors of her office were locked, as she can’t attend any meeting.”How many days the police would stay at her residence, and restriction on rallies and processions continue? The State Minister said, “It’s the decision of police. They will continue ban as their desire. However, Khaleda Zia is not under confinement. She can go home whenever she wants.”When asked why the police are not allowing her to go to Paltan when she has been permitted to go home? He said, “There is ban on meetings and rallies and so she is not allowed to go to Paltan.”
