Statement of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

In a statement today, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir condemned and protested the ongoing violence and suppression by the government's forces against the public movement.

The BNP Secretary General stated that on the first day of the non-cooperation movement called by the student movement against discrimination, the government's law enforcement agencies, along with armed cadres from the ruling Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League, opened fire across various districts and upazilas, including the capital city of Dhaka. According to the latest reports, around a hundred students and civilians have been killed, with over a thousand more seriously injured. 

Yesterday, the Awami League announced that they would deploy armed party workers nationwide to suppress the pro-democracy movement, leading to violent attacks in areas such as Dhanmondi, Science Laboratory, Mirpur, Uttara, and Topkhana Road in Dhaka. The government, which has turned the entire country into a battlefield, attempted to suppress the movement through violence, but has failed. While pretending to offer dialogue, the authoritarian government is indiscriminately killing students and civilians.

Today, from noon onwards, the government imposed disruptions on mobile networks, shutting down the internet, Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms. Additionally, to intimidate and suppress the movement, the government has declared an indefinite curfew starting this evening.

Mirza Fakhrul further stated that, as usual, Awami League terrorists attacked various facilities, including BSMMU, and are attempting to blame the protesters for the violence. 

In addition, the terrorists have attacked the homes of BNP leaders and members of other opposition parties, spreading terror across the country. They have targeted the residence of Dr. Fariduzzaman Farhad, coordinator of the BNP's allied nationalist coalition and chairman of the NPP in Narail, as well as the home of Zakir Hossain Babul, Senior Joint Convenor of Mymensingh South District BNP, and other locations including the BNP office in Jessore and the CNG station of Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Member Secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan BNP.

Mirza Fakhrul strongly condemned these brutal acts of violence and repression by the fascist government, asserting that the nationwide uprising and the journey towards a people's revolution cannot be stopped by murder, suppression, and persecution. He warned that the government is deliberately inciting conflict and violence in an attempt to sabotage the victory of the movement. However, the protesting masses will overcome the government's conspiracies and achieve victory, Insha'Allah.

In his statement, he vowed that those responsible for the killings of students and civilians in today's non-cooperation movement, as well as in the ongoing protests, will be brought to justice on Bangladesh's soil. He extended his deepest condolences to the families of those who have been martyred, emphasizing that their sacrifices will be remembered in the history of Bangladesh. He also wished a swift recovery for all those who were injured.

The BNP Secretary General urged the people of Bangladesh, as well as all leaders, workers, supporters, and well-wishers of the BNP and its affiliated organizations, to make the "March to Dhaka" program for the anti-discrimination student movement a success, and to continue their struggle in their respective areas. He also called on all political parties to stand with the student movement in this public uprising.

Finally, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir called on the illegal Prime Minister to immediately step down in response to the demands of the student movement.