Staff Correspondent

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman said on Wednesday that fugitive former prime minister Sheikh Hasina must not be spared from justice for the killings and injuries inflicted on thousands of people during her regime.

“Let all political parties and activists, regardless of party affiliation and views, unite on one point—that the dictator who fled to India must be brought to justice. She cannot be spared under any circumstances. She is responsible for these killings,” he said while addressing a programme at the Saber Pilot High School field in Sonagazi, Feni, via a virtual platform.

The event was organised to hand over a new house, gifted by Tarique Rahman, to the family of Sonagazi Upazila’s slain Jubo Dal leader Mohammad Masud.

Tarique Rahman said the deposed autocrat killed around 2,000 people and injured approximately 30,000 during the July mass uprising before fleeing the country. Additionally, thousands of people were victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, while tens of thousands were injured or left permanently disabled over the past 17 years under her rule.

“She was forced to flee the country. Hasina has killed thousands, made many victims of enforced disappearance, and maimed countless others. Those responsible must be brought to justice,” he added.

The BNP Acting Chairman urged party members to remain steadfast in their movement until justice is served for Masud and other victims of previous autocratic regimes, and until democracy is fully restored.

“Our struggle will not stop; rather, our movement will continue until people’s rule is established… Our movement will continue until democracy is restored,” he said.

Tarique Rahman stressed that democratic governance must be ensured to honour those martyred in the struggle against dictatorship.

“At the same time, we must establish a government that reflects the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh through prompt elections. We must implement the 31-point plan to meet the people’s demands in the coming days,” he said.

He noted that BNP was the only party that spoke about reforms in the face of Hasina’s repressive rule, while no one else dared to stand up against her.

The BNP acting chairman also expressed concerns that repeated discussions about reforms might be used as a pretext to delay the establishment of a people’s government.

“We notice that some individuals are prolonging the process by constantly talking about reforms. Today, we must question whether this emphasis on reforms is actually a conspiracy,” he said.

He further stated that a people’s government must be established to address pressing issues such as soaring prices of essential commodities, unemployment, the deteriorating education system, and the worsening law and order situation. “The sooner we establish a people’s government, the sooner we can lead Bangladesh towards prosperity,” he said.

Tarique Rahman urged party members to remain vigilant against infiltrators attempting to disrupt their movement for democracy.

BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintoo, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Zainul Abedin Farroque, among others, also spoke at the event. During the function, the key to the newly constructed house was handed over to Masud’s widow.

Masud, a victim of extrajudicial killing, was shot dead in a so-called crossfire on 25 June 2016.