BNP still patronises extremists: Hasan
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said BNP is still patronising militancy as the party didn’t give any reaction after the historical verdict over the horrific Holey Artisan Bakery militant attack.
“It is very surprising and regretful that BNP is patronising the extremists and militancy till now,” he told a press conference at his office at the Secretariat here.
The minister said all in the country have welcomed the historical verdict. “The verdict will not only help curb militancy in the country, but also play a pivotal role in the global context,” he added, reports BSS.
But, Hasan said, BNP has failed to welcome the verdict. And it is proved again that they (BNP) haven’t come out of the politics of patronizing militancy.
“BNP’s senior leaders, including its chief Begum Khaleda Zia and secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, always talked irresponsibly about militants. Even, the main objective of many leaders of BNP-led alliance is to turn the Bangladesh into a Taliban state,” he said.
Mentioning the verdict over the brutal militant attack on the capital’s Holey Artisan Bakery, the minister said Bangladesh has showed a great success in curbing militancy compared to other countries in the world.
Replying to a question about how the terrorists wore caps emblazoned with the IS logo in the prison van, he said the matter is under investigation. “I don’t want to say anything on this issue as the matter is under investigation.”
Replying to a query on vandalizing vehicles on the High Court premises, Hasan said the incident of attacking and vandalizing proved that BNP haven’t come out of the politics of sheltering terrorism.
“We thought that they have shunned the politics of vandalizing, terrorism and petrol bomb attacks. But the recent incident proved that they will bite whenever they will get a chance,” he added.
He said BNP will become more isolated, if they do not shun the politics of backing terrorism. And the mass people will become their enemy in the near future, said Hasan, also publicity and publication secretary of Awami League.
About the demand for the release of BNP chief Begum Khaleda Zia, the minister said it is a matter of the court.
“But, it could never be a way to release her from jail by vandalizing vehicles or properties or attacking the masses. They could hold rallies, meetings and form human chains to raise their demand and this is part of democracy. But it is not democracy to attack the people,” he said.
