BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday questioned whether the attacker, clearly seen on video fatally killing a scrap trader in front of Mitford Hospital, has not yet been arrested due to the silent support or the interim government’s indirect indulgence.

“We were very surprised to see clearly on the screen who was killing (the trader), yet the government has still not arrested him. Should we assume that those trying to create mob violence and unrest are being secretly supported or pampered by the government or some officials in the administration?” he said.

Tarique made the remarks while virtually exchanging views with the families of the 142 martyrs of the July mass uprising.

Tarique said some parties are misrepresenting the killing incident in Old Dhaka. “The man who was killed may have had ties to the Jubo Dal, but the person who committed the murder, based on the information we have received, was brought in from elsewhere.”

He lamented that the man seen killing the trader has neither been arrested nor named as a suspect yet.

“Why has this happened? Why is he not being arrested? Why is the administration not arresting him? Why are the law enforcement agencies sitting idle? Who controls the law enforcement agencies? It is not BNP; it is the government. So, why is the government not taking action against the killers?” Tarique said.

He said the BNP will ensure justice for every killing when given the chance to govern the country as it is a demand of all democracy-loving people in Bangladesh.

The BNP leader alleged that some media outlets are currently trying to spread different messages and create stories around certain issues.

He said both BNP and its affiliated organisations have always demanded justice, no matter who commits the crime. “A wrongdoer is a wrongdoer. Justice must be served according to the law. No wrongdoer should have the identity of any political party.”

The BNP leader said people across the country are asking why the government authorities remain silent and why proper legal action is not being taken against those trying to create chaos.

“Many incidents are happening in different places, and we are watching closely those who are trying to disrupt a peaceful environment,” he said.

The Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal organised the event at a hotel in the capital to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising and to honour the memory of the brave martyrs of Chhatra Dal.

It was a deeply emotional occasion as the families of the fallen shared their sorrow and grief. They recalled their loved ones with heavy hearts.

Many also called for justice and demanded that those responsible for the killings be held to account.

Tarique urged the families of the martyrs to raise their voices loudly over the delays in the trials of those responsible for killing their loved ones.

He also warned them to be vigilant against those trying to create mobs to delay justice.

The BNP leader said a Jubo Dal leader was also killed by having his tendon cut in Khulna two days ago. “Why is there no voice against this killing? Why, when we demand justice for such killings, is it said that BNP is doing politics over dead bodies? These are the questions we must now find answers to. Because, he said, the answers to these questions are deeply connected to the existence of Bangladesh and its people.”

Tarique said the nation must know who truly stands for the people of Bangladesh. “We need to find out who has genuinely supported the country’s independence with full sincerity. We also must know who stood for the independence of Bangladesh--not just today or yesterday, or the day before--but even 50 years ago, and who did not. We have to consider all these things.”

The BNP leader assured that if his party returns to power, it will prioritise ensuring the trials of those who killed innocent people during the mass uprising and democratic movement.

“All I can say is that if BNP forms the government with the support of the people in the coming days, we will do our utmost to ensure justice for those who lost their lives defending the rights of the people,” he said.

He said many sons of the soil, along with many leaders and activists of BNP, its associate bodies, other political parties, and even some apolitical individuals, have been killed over the last 15 years in Bangladesh while protecting the rights of the people.

The BNP leader said although the autocratic regime was ousted, conspiracies against democracy in Bangladesh have not yet stopped. “People’s victory has been achieved (through the mass uprising), but the plots have not ended.”

Stating that he had warned about the invisible enemy months ago, Tarique said invisible force is now slowly becoming visible.

He said these invisible enemies have stood in the way of democracy, the country’s independence and sovereignty and people’s rights. They have taken opposing positions and acted against the public interest at different times.

Tarique said their party has repeatedly urged the interim government not to support or protect any wrongdoer, regardless of who they are. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety and security of people’s lives and property. Why is it failing in this duty? A martyr’s father has raised this question, and we too want to ask the same of the interim government.”

He urged people to stay alert and aware, just as they stood up for their rights during key moments in the country’s history.

“Our struggle for democratic and people's rights is not over yet. We must keep our eyes and ears open,” the BNP leader said.

He said BNP clearly explained its stance on the July Charter three months ago in writing to the interim government.

Tarique stressed that it is now entirely the responsibility of the interim government to act on it. “We have nothing more to say. It’s up to them what they do or don’t do.”

He warned that some non-issues are being used to create confusion and distract people from real matters. “We see that certain matters or ideas are being brought forward, or attempts are being made to hide something. We also notice that some non-issues are being turned into issues.”

The BNP leader reminded the nation that the country belongs to all 20 crore people, not to any single party. “Everyone must think about the future of the country together.”

He also urged people to stay alert and observe who is saying what, and how their positions are constantly changing.

Tarique alleged that the ghost of the past autocratic regime still exists within parts of the administration. “So, everyone must be aware of the plots by those old ghosts and any new ones. If we are not alert, it will be hard to keep the country safe.”