14-Party calls for mass resistance against murders

The ruling coalition in Bangladesh has called on the nation to rise against targeted killings.

Leaders and activists of the 14-Party Alliance lined the capital’s streets for an hour-long human chain on Sunday against a series of militant-style murders that have claimed the lives of secular individuals, minorities, gay rights activists and foreigners.

The leaders said the programme was observed between 3pm and 4pm across the nation.

“Progressive forces in Bangladesh must come forward against militancy and these killings. Build resistance against these killers in your towns, villages and neighbourhoods,” said Health Minister Mohammed Nasim, who is also the alliance convenor.

Workers Party chief Rashed Khan Menon mentioned the example of how locals in Madaripur had caught Faizullah Fahim after he and others hacked a Hindu teacher last week. “There should be resistance like that everywhere,” said the civil aviation minister.

The leaders also pointed the finger at the BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami. “The BNP-Jamaat emerged as failures after they sat out the national election and began a tyranny of petrol bombs,” said Matia Chowdhury, a presidium member of the ruling Awami League.

“They fell back on targeted killings after failing to oust the government. Begum Khaleda Zia has not changed her ways,” said the agriculture minister.   

“The people of this country do not like violence. They will stop these murderers the way they stopped Khaleda Zia’s campaign of petrol bombs,” said Mahbub-Ul-Alam Hanif, a joint general secretary of the Awami League.   

As for BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s claim that the government itself was behind the murders, he said, “I’ll say, you started these killings. And to hide your involvement, you’re having you’re leaders say that these were the results of an international conspiracy.”

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, who was speaking at Russel Square, said Khaleda Zia was a ‘depressed leader’. “She had placed the people of Bangladesh before fire in 2013. In 2014, she failed to stop the election. She claimed countless lives in the blockades for 93 days in 2015 only to return home.”

He said she had been putting the blame for the recent killings on the government in a way which puts her on the side of the killers. 

Meanwhile, the programme created chaos on the roads of the capital, which is already in the throes of huge traffic congestions during Ramadan, the month of fasting.

People returning home from work were seen leaving commutes and walking between the gridlocks.

The leaders were positioned at 19 locations from Gabtoli to Jatrabarhi until Shyamoli, Asad Gate,Dhanmondi’s Road-27, Russel Square, Green Road, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Matsya Bhaban, the National Press Club, Paltan Mor, Noor Hossain Square, Bangabandhu Square, Gulistan Park, Ittefaq Mor, Rajdhani Supremarket  and Syedabad.