BNP blames govt for Ramu attacks on Buddhists

BNP blames govt for Ramu attacks on Buddhists

VOL 20 NO 157 REGD NO DA 1589 | Dhaka, Wednesday, October 10 2012

BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed speaking at the press conference at party's Naya Paltan central office in the city Tuesday. — Focus Bangla Photo

Hitting back at Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina, opposition BNP on Tuesday said the state as well as the PM's people were involved in the September 29 attacks on Buddhist temples and houses at Ramu in Cox's Bazar, reports UNB.

"As the State and the PM's people were involved in the Ramu incidents, Sheikh Hasina is now blaming a BNP MP for that without conducting any judicial investigation into it just to hide the real culprits," BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed said.

A day after the PM's remarks blaming the local BNP, MP for instigating the attacks, Rizvi Ahmed came up with the counter-allegation at a press briefing at the party's Nayapaltan central office at noon.

Sheikh Hasina, who visited the violence-hit Ramu on Monday, told an amity rally there that it was found in the investigation that soon after a local MP left the place around midnight saying something, thousands of people joined the mayhem and set fire to houses and temples of the Buddhist community.

Sharply reacting to the PM's remarks, Rizvi Ahmed said BNP MP Lutfur Rahman Kajal was resisted by ruling party men as he tried to control the situation on that night. "But the premier is now shifting the blame onto others to attain a political gain."

The BNP leader demanded formation of a judicial probe body to identify those involved in the attacks and ensure their punishment.

On the night of September 29, religious zealots went on the rampage in Ramu of Cox's Bazar, leaving 12 temples and monasteries and over 50 houses destroyed. The violence was apparently triggered by the posting of a photo on the facebook defaming the holy Quran.

Rizvi Ahmed, also the party's office secretary, condemned the police attacks on their peaceful demonstrations in different parts of the country on Monday.

He said the police without any provocation attacked the BNP activists in different districts, including Gaibandha, Patuakhali, Narayanganj, Habiganj, and injured over 50, and arrested a good number of opposition leaders and activists.

The BNP leader said the 18-party has postponed their countrywide demonstration programme scheduled for Wednesday to observe the Shaheed Jihad Day.