BNP welcomes Hasina’s call for peace but wants end to ‘repressive measures’

The BNP has welcomed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s call for it ‘to walk the path of peace’.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 19 May 2015, 04:58 PM
Updated : 19 May 2015, 04:58 PM

However, the party has urged the government to stop ‘repressing the opposition’ and begin a dialogue to resolve a persisting political impasse.
 
BNP spokesperson and International Affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon made the call at a press briefing at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan on Tuesday.
 
“(On Monday) the prime minister said ‘we want peace, not violence’. We appreciate her for saying so.”
 
“We have never allowed or supported the politics of violence, anarchy, bloodshed,” he claimed.
 
Ripon also accused the government of denying the party its democratic rights of holding rallies, processions and enforcing blockades and general strikes.
 
“They (the government) are encouraging a totalitarian system which is against democracy and good governance,” he alleged.
 
He urged the government to end such actions and create an environment favourable to fair and healthy politics.
 
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, Hasina had asked the people to abjure violence to tread the path of peace.
 
Ripon alleged that the government had resorted to killings, arrests, abductions, and attacks on their leaders.
 
He hoped the ministers would stop being repressive after her remark.
 
“We always want to establish a government with the support of the people and through a free, fair election,” the BNP spokesperson added.

“We urge the government to acknowledge the public demand for a fair election and to sit for a productive dialogue with everyone to conduct polls.”
 
He demanded that the government release arrested BNP leaders and members.
 
Party leaders Afzal H Khan, Abdus Salam Azad, Habibur Rahman Habib, Mustafizur Rahman Babul, Asadul Karim Shahin, Shamsul Alam Tofa, among others, were present at the press briefing.