BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday alleged that the incidents of killing of BNP leaders and activists in gunfights have turned 'epidemic' as the government has started 'suppressing' opposition with a special motive, reports UNB. In a statement, he said, "The law enforcers first pick up BNP leaders and activists, but they deny doing that. They later kill them fabricating stories of gunfights. Such incidents have now spread like an epidemic."

The statement was issued protesting the killing of Begumganj's Alaiar union unit Jubo Dal joint convener Mohammad Alam in a 'so-called' gunfight after 'picking' him up on Tuesday. The party also voiced deep concern over the whereabouts of

Nababarta online portal's editor Nurul Alam Siddique after he was picked up reportedly by law enforcers on yesterday morning.

Fakhrul said the country's people have got worried over the regular news on extrajudicial killings.

He said law enforcers are indulging in such brutal and cruel incidents to 'help the government perpetuate' its power by establishing a 'reign of terror' across the country.

The BNP leader alleged that Jubo Dal leader Alam was killed as part of the government's move to eliminate the anti-government youth force.

He said journalists are also being subjected to enforced disappearance and secret killings as the current undemocratic regime is out to eliminate opposition parties and alternative opinions. Fakhrul called upon the government to immediately trace journalist Nurul Alam and produce him before public.

The party also strongly condemned the killing of Alam and prayed for salvation of the departed soul.

BNP senior joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi yesterday alleged that the August 21 grenade attack on Awami League President Sheikh Hasina’s rally in 2004 was carried by the party itself to put the then Khaleda Zia-led government in trouble.

Speaking at a doa and milad mahfil, he also alleged that law enforcers are issuing various threats against those speaking in favour of the Supreme Court’s verdict that annulled the 16th amendment.

“Awami League was asked to hold the rally at Muktangan. Why did you hold it in front of your party office? There’s something fishy ...the bomb went off, but she (Hasina) remained safe,” the BNP leader said.

He further said, “We can say your party men did it to embarrass the then BNP-led government and enhance people’s sympathy for you.”

Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal arranged the programme at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office seeking the early recovery of party chairperson Khaleda Zia who underwent a surgery in her right eye in London recently.

On August 21, 2004, 24 leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate bodies were killed as at least 13 grenades were thrown from the rooftops of a nearby building soon after Sheikh Hasina had finished her speech at the rally.

Hasina narrowly escaped the attack, but she had lost her hearing ability due to the impact of the repeated grenade blasts near the truck-dais of the huge public rally.

Describing the incident as planned one by Awami league, Rizvi said it was executed by the party’s well-wishers.

He said the main target behind the incident was to dent the image of BNP, Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.

“Their evil design exposed as the party soon after assuming power implicated Tarique Rahman with the case through a supplementary chargesheet.”