Fakhrul takes NCP’s side in Gopalganj incident, but local BNP protests on humanity’s side

Staff Correspondent

In Gopalganj, ordinary people have been massacred by the army and police while protecting the tomb of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. After the massacre, political revenge cases, torture and harassment have also occurred. Which has also shaken the humane leaders of the local BNP. BNP has held a press conference to take a stand on behalf of the common people in protest against such inhumane actions of the Yunus government and administration.

The activists believe that the leaders’ statements are completely opposite to BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul’s stance in favor of the NCP.

At a press conference held at the party office in Ghaghar Bazar yesterday, local BNP leaders strongly protested against police repression, political harassment, and insecurity of the common people.

Upazila BNP President SM Mohiuddin said in a written statement that on July 16, leaders and activists of the Upazila Awami League and their affiliated organizations protested at Wapdar Hat. After this incident, the police have filed a fabricated case in the name of thousands of innocent people of opposing ideology, including BNP. They are harassing and torturing them.

He said that 155 people have been named in this case and another 1,500 have been named as defendants – most of whom are not involved in politics, but are ordinary daily wage workers, farmers or shopkeepers.

Upazila BNP General Secretary Abul Bashar Howlader raised the question, “At whose behest were those who had no connection with the incident that day, those who were not involved in politics, implicated in the case? Will the people now be safe only if they support the ruling party?”

Municipal BNP General Secretary Oliur Rahman Hawlader directly blamed the police station and said, “You were present at the time of the incident. Yet you did not arrest anyone from the scene, and now you are taking innocent people from their homes day after day. Those who have no connection whatsoever.”

He warned, “We do politics to keep the people of the country well. If those people are harassed in this way, then we will protest and resist it with the people.”

Also present at the press conference were Municipal BNP President Yusup Ali Daria, Upazila BNP Joint Secretary Sheikh Fayequzzaman, Organizing Secretary Chhaleman Sheikh, Jubo Dal Member Secretary Mannan Sheikh and Chhatra Dal Convener Lalon Sheikh.

The speakers alleged that state power has been used as a tool to suppress political opposition in Kotalipara. The law enforcement agencies have taken on the role of the government forces, which is a dangerous example.

They demanded the immediate withdrawal of this unjust case and the release of the innocent people arrested.