BNP worried over law and order
The BNP is likely to hold talks with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus this week and express concerns over the country's "deteriorating" law and order situation, especially the demolition of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's residence in Dhanmondi, say several party leaders.
They fear that these attacks and vandalism in the last two days could pose a serious threat to national stability and disrupt the upcoming national election.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The leaders also think that these attacks could be "well-planned", not just mere expressions of outrage.
They said that such incidents could create a chaotic situation for the country and could benefit the Awami League instead.
The party plans to express its position on the current situation and urge the government to take immediate steps to restore law and order.
The meeting with the chief adviser is slated for February 10 with a delegation led by Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who will return home from the US tomorrow, according to party sources.
The issues were discussed during a meeting of the Standing Committee, the highest policymaking body of the BNP, at its chairperson's Gulshan office yesterday. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting virtually from London.
Talking to The Daily Star, Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The BNP urged the government to strictly control law and order situation to prevent chaos in the country. We have also urged the people not to engage in any provocative activities and to remain calm. If the situation worsens, it could create a scope for fascists to return to politics."
In the meeting, BNP leaders criticised the interim government for its failure to stabilise law and order over the six months, which they claim has led to spreading a "mob culture" across the country.
They also questioned the government's silence and delayed response to the recent vandalism and arson attacks, including those on the Dhanmondi-32 residence and the homes of Awami League leaders and activists.
On Wednesday and Thursday, a group of protesters vandalised and set fire to the Dhanmondi-32 house. Parts of the building were razed to the ground. Homes of AL leaders were also knocked down and torched, while murals and busts of Sheikh Mujib were damaged in nearly two dozen districts.
A BNP leader, who attended the meeting but wished to remain anonymous, raised serious concerns about the government's preparedness.
"Did the government not anticipate that such incidents could occur? With its intelligence agencies and extensive network, how could it be unaware of such widespread unrest? If the government was truly unaware, those responsible must be held accountable," he told this newspaper.
At the meeting, the party leaders also pointed fingers at the AL, accusing it of fuelling public anger through its recent programmes, such as leaflet distribution, strikes, and blockades.
They added that if the interim government could take legal action against AL leaders for their anti-state activities, the country might not have faced such a situation.
The BNP leaders expressed concern that the ongoing situation has not only damaged the credibility of the chief adviser but also tarnished the country's image.
Several Standing Committee members discussed whether any gap between student leaders and the government has created over the last two days' incidents.
The party hopes that the government will take immediate and effective measures to restore stability and ensure a peaceful environment for the upcoming national polls.
During the 90-minute meeting, BNP leaders discussed various issues, including reports of reform commissions and the current political situation. They also talked about their divisional and district-level programmes, which are going to take place this month.
Meeting insiders also said that a three-member BNP delegation of Standing Committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Salahuddin Ahmed, and Selima Rahman may visit the Election Commission office tomorrow to discuss the commission's preparations and related issues regarding the national polls.
Before the meeting, the BNP, in a statement early yesterday, said that failure to control situations has encouraged people to take the law into their own hands and engage in "illegal activities".
If the government cannot effectively manage the ongoing situation, the stability of both the state and the government will face serious threats. The current situation could lead to the resurgence of defeated fascists alongside extremists, anarchists, anti-democratic evil forces, both domestic and foreign, said the statement.
Apart from Fakhrul, other Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Jamir Uddin Sircar, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafizuddin Ahmed, and AZM Zahid Hossain joined the meeting.
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