BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that the army has been given magisterial powers to restore order. That means the administration is failing.
He said, "The army has been given power to bring the situation under control. I think that the power of the magistrate should be given to those areas which have gone out of control. But in areas which are peaceful, where political leaders and activists are controlling everything, it would not be appropriate to create new problems by giving the power of the magistrate."
He made these remarks after meeting the families of those injured and killed in the student-public movement at Thakurgaon Press Club at 12 noon on Thursday.
At that time, Mirza Fakhrul provided financial assistance to the families of the injured and deceased on behalf of the party.
After meeting the injured, Mirza Fakhrul told reporters, "I will call and request the interim government to never take any action that will boomerang for the country as a whole and for the people of the country. We hope that the interim government will understand the issues correctly and take a decision. So I am saying this clearly because it is my responsibility to say it."
Addressing the leaders and activists, the BNP Secretary General said, "We have been sacrificing, being beaten, going to jail, being subjected to oppression and torture for 16-17 years, just to overthrow the fascist Hasina government and establish a democratic government. We are all very optimistic that this new interim government will remove this mess and create an environment in the country where an acceptable election will be held in a fair manner with the participation of all. Through that election, a parliament of the people will be created."
He further said, "We want to see a truly democratic state in the future by considering all aspects. We want to see a democratically elected government, we want to see a parliament. People should not be subjected to unjust oppression, our children should not be shot dead anymore. I know my words may not please many. But it is my responsibility to speak the truth."
Addressing the interim government, Fakhrul said, "You do the things that will help us regain a beautiful future, a future of prosperity, a future free from terrorism, and a future with human rights."
Highlighting their own torture during the Awami League era, the BNP Secretary General said, "We have been agitating for almost 16 years. During this time, about 700 of our people have been kept in a mirror room. Thousands of our leaders and activists have been killed. False cases have been filed against 6 million leaders and activists. 111 cases have been filed against me myself. The common people of my Thakurgaon, who are farmers and have never seen a court, have to go to court regularly, go to jail. How many businessmen have lost their businesses, lost their jobs, even 9 people have been killed in this district."
Thakurgaon District BNP General Secretary Mirza Faisal Amin, Joint Secretary Poygam Ali, Office Secretary Mamunur Rashid, Sadar Upazila BNP President Abdul Hamid, along with leaders and activists of the party and its associate organizations were present at the time.
Mirza Fakhrul then joined two rallies organized in Ranishankail and Pirganj upazilas of Thakurgaon.
