Oikya Front chief Dr Kamal threatens Hasina govt with retaliation for arrests after polls

Dr Kamal Hossain has alleged the law enforcers are arresting activists of the Jatiya Oikya Front alliance on “illegal orders” from the government.

The alliance chief has threatened the government of Sheikh Hasina with retaliation for the arrests after the election, reminding the ruling Awami League that it will be in power for “barely 15-16 more days if it loses”. 

Speaking at a news conference at the alliance’s Purana Paltan office in Dhaka on Friday afternoon, he also demanded immediate and proper investigation into the attack on him and other leaders of the alliance at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial, terming it “unacceptable”.   

The leaders of the Gono Forum party headed by Dr Kamal are contesting in the Dec 30 parliamentary election with its ally the BNP’s ‘paddy sheaf’ symbol.  

“The government will be in power for 15 to 16 more days. I would like to ask them to follow the law and stop delivering illegal orders. Let them know that no government in this country is above the law,” he said.

Dr Kamal, a former Awami League leader, said the leaders of the ruling party should “hide in shame for violating the rights” dreamt by the martyred heroes 47 years ago during the Liberation War.

"I don’t want to see your faces who have done these misdeeds. Stop these immediately. You will be here for 15 to 16 more days. Try to be good in these days. And then..." He stopped abruptly, clearly threatening to retaliate after the election.

Dr Kamal urged the law enforcers to refrain from “executing the illegal orders” to arrest opposition leaders and activists.

“Don’t forget that those who are giving these orders will not remain in power forever,” he said, adding that the people will “identify and try those who are giving these illegal orders”.

Earlier in the morning, attackers vandalised at least seven cars in Dr Kamal’s motorcade and injured over 12 people when the Oikya Front leaders came out of the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial after paying tribute to the lost heroes of the nation. 

“They (attackers) have insulted the martyrs. The people won’t accept it,” Dr Kamal said, urging the police chief to assign a “reliable officer” with investigating the incident.