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He strongly believes that no genuine student was involved in the attacks and arson
Published : 26 Jul 2024, 08:03 PM
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has suggested that agents of militant groups may be among the leaders of the quota reform movement, despite blaming the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami for the attacks and arson amid the protests.
“If there had been a little patience, the BNP-Jamaat anti-state forces would not have been able to exploit the student movement. It is necessary to investigate if there are agents of militant groups among the student leaders,” he said during a discussion at the National Press Club on Friday.
“I strongly believe that no genuine student was involved in such attacks and arson. These attacks on the state were carried out by BNP activists and the Jamaat-e-Islami following the directives of BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.”
Mahmud said each attacker would be brought to justice. “Police are investigating. Those who have killed people, set fire to metro rail and BTV, will all be prosecuted. We are determined to do this.”
He accused Tarique of orchestrating the attacks on the state.
“Yesterday [Thursday], they [BNP leaders] confessed that there was an announcement of Tk 5,000 for assaulting Chhatra League members and Tk 10,000 for attacking police,” said Awami League Joint General Secretary Mahmud.
“Amir Khosru is instructing their young leaders to infiltrate the student movement. Tarique Rahman is giving orders, and the government has that audio clip. In the audio, Tarique Rahman says, ‘Break the curfew, or else resign.’”
Criticising the BNP for allegedly rewarding those involved in the violence, Mahmud said, “Last year, on Oct 28, before the 12th parliamentary elections, those who caused arson and anarchy in Dhaka were given significant positions by the BNP.”
“This time too, those who kill people and police will be given top positions by the BNP. Is this a political party? This is an anti-national terrorist organisation.”
He continued, “Attacks by the BNP and the Jamaat have affected ordinary people and their properties. State properties have been destroyed, and attacks have been carried out on the state.”
“BTV, the first television channel established in the region, was attacked. Even during the Liberation War, there was no such terrorist attack on Bangladesh Television.”
“When natural disasters like cyclones and floods occur in the country, officials of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief rush to the affected people. But now, even that ministry has been set on fire. This is an attack on the state,” he added.
Referring to the attack on the Setu Bhaban, he said: “The Setu Bhaban that oversaw the construction of the Padma Bridge, Elevated Expressway, and Bangabandhu Tunnel was also set on fire.”
“The data centre was set ablaze, resulting in several days of internet disruption. Submarine cables were deliberately targeted and cut, disrupting services. The pride of Dhaka residents, the metro rail, was attacked,” said the minister.
“Footbridges were set on fire. More than a thousand vehicles were torched,”
Mahmud briefed diplomats last week to inform the world about the overall situation.
“I took foreign ambassadors to show them this destruction. The Italian ambassador said, ‘This is shameful.’ The social media accounts of various foreign ambassadors were hacked, and false posts were made,” he said.
“A thorough investigation of all incidents will be conducted, and a judicial investigation commission has been formed. Every incident will be investigated, and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
