Strike failed, claims Alamgir

Home Minister MK Alamgir on Sunday claimed attempts by the 12 small parties to enforce a nationwide daylong strike ‘failed’ even though it was backed by the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

He made the remark while talking to reporters after a meeting with the Greek Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection, Nikolaos Dendias at the Secretariat.

File Photo

“Today they tried to enforce a countrywide shutdown, but you should have noticed that their attempts have failed.”

“It has been proved again that no one can force people to accept a strike only with muscle power,” he said.

Activists opposed to the Shahbagh movement carried out frenzied attacks across the country, including capital Dhaka, during a protest programme called by the small parties after Friday prayers. Even the journalists covering the protest programme were not spared.

Police alleged the ‘hate attacks’ were instigated by the activists of Jamaat and its student wing Chhatra Shibir.

They ransacked and torched replicas built to express solidarity with the Shahbag movement, Shaheed Minars, and clashed with the police in Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Bogra and several other places alleging that the demonstrators at ‘Prajanma Chattar’ were involved in ‘anti-Islam’ activities.

At least four people, including a madrasa teacher, were killed and scores injured during the agitation demanding ‘punishment to ‘anti-religious bloggers’.

The small parties called the shutdown for Sunday alleging police obstruction during their agitation programme..

Alamgir said:” The government is now ready to take any action against the vested quarters which carried out the attacks with backing from some political parties.”

Asked about his reaction over the assaults on journalists, he said any ‘ideal’ political party or ‘people with right mental health’ could have never supported such attacks.

He alleged the attackers were trying to destabilise the country.

“I hope you are already aware that we are firmly determined to hold them back,” he said.

He avoided a direct answer when asked about the actions being taken against the attackers.

Alamgir said he discussed two issues with the Greek Minister.

“Bangladesh and Greece are considering signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to ensure security at the international level and boost cooperation between the security agencies and police of the two countries to fight terrorism,” he added.