BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Tuesday urged the government to quit right away shouldering the responsibility for all the incidents of forced disappearances and killings, including the Narayanganj seven murders. “The Prime Minister who is also holding the portfolio of the Home Minister cannot avoid the responsibility for the continued countrywide killings, abductions and forced disappearances. She is responsible for those killed in Narayanganj. I demand the Prime Minister and her government quit immediately,” she said. Khaleda, also a former Prime Minister, made the demand while consoling the five family members of the seven murders at the house of slain Narayanganj panel mayor Nazrul Islam at West Mijmiji in Siddhirganj upazila. She expressed her wonder as the sacked Rab officials have not yet been arrested despite the High Court order. The BNP chief said the chief of the Rab-11, who is reportedly involved in the murders, considered himself as very powerful person as he is a son-in-law of a minister of Hasina’s cabinet.” Khaleda demanded all the criminals and sacked officials involved in the seven murders be arrested soon and meted out exemplary punishment. She warned the government that the people of Narayanganj and all other parts of the country will take to the streets if those involved in the murders are not given highest punishment. “We’ll also be forced to take to the streets.” The BNP chief said killings, abductions and forced disappearances will not stop as long as this regime is there in office. “So, this government must quit.” Khaleda alleged that the family members of the victims are receiving various threats for giving information about the gruesome killings. “You’ve played a courageous role in exposing those behind the killings. No one will be spared if anyone of these family members suffers any harm.” Khaleda reiterated her demand for disbandment of the Rab, saying the force has now become bloodsucker and killers. “This force (Rab) has no longer any necessity as they stood against people. People will remain in panic as long as this force will be there.” Earlier, the BNP chief started her journey from her Gulshan residence around 11:15am and reached the Nazrul Islam at West Mijmiji in Siddhirganj upazila around 12:15pm. Khaleda talked to the bereaved family members of Nazrul and four other victims -Tajul, Liton, Swapan and Jahangir — at Nazrul’s house, and consoled them. A heartrending scene was created as Khaleda was consoling the family members of the victims. The victim’s family members said they want justice through exemplary punishment to all those involved in the killings of their near and dear ones. Later, Khaleda went to the house of another victim, lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarker, at Jahlkuri in Fatullah upazila. Family members of Chandan’s slain diver Ibrahim was also present there. Meanwhile, the family members of five of the victims –slain Narayanganj city councillor Nazrul Islam, Moniruzzaman Khan Swapan, Driver Jahangir, Tajul and Liton also met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban on Monday evening. Earlier on Sunday night, the BNP chief rescheduled her visit for Tuesday from Wednesday as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has invited the family members of the victims to Ganobhaban the same day. Besides, BNP sought permission twice for holding a rally in Narayanganj during Khaleda’s visit to the port city, but city mayor Selina Hayat Ivy denied them permission on security grounds. Nazrul Islam, his three associates, driver, senior lawyer Chandan Kumar Sarker and his driver were killed after their abduction in Narayanganj on April 27. —UNB, Dhaka.
