¶¶Òõ¾«Æ·

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday alleged that the government, along with some pro-ruling party officials in law enforcement agencies, was spreading lies in a coordinated effort about the killings during the student movement, claiming that this was merely a superficial attempt to obscure the truth.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the comment in a statement and urged all government officials and employees, including those in the administration and law enforcement agencies, to stop suppressing and oppressing students by ignoring the unjust and illegal orders, instructions, and pressures from the ‘killer regime.’

The BNP leader also cautioned that as the torture intensifies, mass resistance will only grow stronger in response.

He said that the government was pitting the law and order forces and the administration against the students in a well-planned manner, which was an ominous sign for the state.

‘The head of government and government minister-leaders and some Awami-minded members of law enforcement agencies are constantly resorting to lies and saying that the so-called ‘third power’ forces have carried out the shootings and massacre, but people all over the world saw that the general public including students did not have firearms,’ the BNP leader said.

He said that firearms were seen in the hands of the members of law enforcement agencies and the Chhatra League and Jubo League. ‘Despite this, the government continues to repeat this chorus of lies in a superficial attempt to obscure the truth.’

During this time of national crisis, Fakhrul urged all patriotic students, political parties, cultural organizations, and individuals to unite in the spirit of the 1971 Liberation War and stand against the current looter, usurper and killer regime.

The BNP leader also urged everyone to work towards establishing a people’s government through impartial elections.

Fakhrul also urged all citizens, particularly students and youth from all backgrounds, to continue the movement demanding the current government’s resignation. ‘The call for this government’s resignation resonates from home to home.’

He condemned the government for undermining democracy, violating people’s rights, jeopardizing national interests, and committing acts of genocide and brutal repression in the history of independent Bangladesh. ‘This regime will not be able to maintain power in the face of student protests.’

‘The government is so frightened and alienated by the student movement that they are now claiming that the people and common students will occupy Gonobhaban, just like people did in Sri Lanka. Out of that fear, they are trying to protect themselves by misusing law enforcement agencies and all constitutional institutions of the state,’ the BNP leader said.

He urged the government to resign immediately and return the power to the people to avert public wrath.

The BNP secretary general strongly condemned and protested the government’s ongoing obstructions to student protests, including firing, arrests, suppression, and torture of the demonstrators.