Should we kiss away attacks on our offices? asks Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader says that the party responded to attacks on its Dhanmondi offices on Saturday amid the student protests calling for safer roads.

Asked about the violence in the Jigatala area, he said: “If someone advances towards the Awami League offices firing bullets, should they be met with kisses? Or should they be met with force?”

Several people were injured on Saturday after a section of student protesters advanced towards the Awami League president’s offices in Dhanmondi based on alleged rumours.

Quader made the remarks to the media on Sunday morning after he went to the Banani graveyard to pay his respects to Sheikh Kamal on his birthday.

The prime minister has ordered that law enforcers not to apply force, he said.

“Sinister forces infiltrated the student protests and attacked us. Seventeen of our activists are in hospital recovering from wounds.”

The ruling party leader said a violent conspiracy was developing around the protests.

“It has become apparent in the past three days who is trying to drag this apolitical student campaign for safe roads into dirty politics.”

“That the BNP and their extremist communal collaborators are attempting to infiltrate this peaceful campaign and turn the situation into a dirty game has become apparent to the people of the country.”

He also mentioned the alleged phone conversation involving BNP leader Amir Khosru Mahmood Chowdhury that was being shared online.

“BNP leader Amir Khosru has conspired to bring people from Cumilla to Dhaka. There were some people, men of 35 or even 40 years of age, dressed in school or college clothes, among the protesters.”

Quader said that rumours had spread of the Awami League confining girls to their offices. He urged people to oppose “sinister forces”.