Staff Correspondent

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Thursday urged the government not to betray the nation by signing any anti-sate deal with the neighbouring country.

“Bangladesh is now at an extreme risk as no one of the agreements and MoUs signed between Bangladesh and India favors our national interest,” Fakhrul said while addressing a programme held in front of the party’s Nayapaltan central office in Dhaka on Thursday.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Haina’s recent India visit, Fakhrul said the prime minister has failed to address the country’s crucial issues like Teesta water sharing and the rampant border killing by BSF.

Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum, a pro-BNP platform, arranged the rally, demanding the unconditional release of Khaleda Zia, who has been undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital since 22 June.

Pointing finger at the prime minister, Fakhrul said, “What has she (Hasina) brought from India during her visit? There is no clear mention regarding the due share in the Teesta water.”

He said India has proposed to engage in the Teesta river conservation and management project while China has done the same.

UNB adds: He said the Prime Minister also mentioned that if India is entrusted with the project, the water problem will be resolved. “Are we all fools living in this country? On the contrary, you (PM) ignored the Teesta water-sharing agreement and the issue of sharing water from common rivers. Thus, you are making Bangladesh completely hostage to India."

The BNP leader said Bangladeshis are being killed regularly along the border. “There was a killing yesterday (Wednesday) as well. You (PM) didn’t say even a single word about this during your tour this time.”

He also questioned whether there is any place in the world where a country shoots dead the citizens of its friendly neighbouring country along the border.

“You (PM) have to answer these questions. You won’t be able to mislead people with what you are saying in self-defence,” Fakhrul warned

On June 21, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went to India on a two-day state visit at the invitation of her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

On the second day of the visit, Dhaka and New Delhi signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), seven new and three renewed to further consolidate the ever-growing relationship between the two neighbouring countries.