Mitford murder a political plot? BNP demands answers

  Bangla Press desk : BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday expressed strong suspicion that the recent mob killing of businessman Lalchand Sohag in the capital’s Mitford area is being politically exploited to create unrest ahead of the national elections. “There is ample reason to believe that the Mitford murder is being exploited to fuel political unrest by deliberately creating instability in the country,” Fakhrul said at a press conference following the party’s standing committee meeting at its chairperson’s Gulshan office. Citing the brutal public killing carried out before many witnesses and under the apparent watch of law enforcement, Fakhrul said, “The video footage of this public murder, captured without any protest or resistance, raises serious questions.” He added that the incident raises public doubts, especially since the police have failed to identify or arrest the main perpetrators. To investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing, BNP has formed an “Investigation and Fact-Finding Committee” comprising qualified individuals. “To uncover the underlying reasons behind this brutal murder, we have decided to form a committee who will investigate the incident and bring the real truth to light,” Fakhrul announced. Reaffirming BNP’s commitment to resisting forces that aim to destabilize the political environment, he said, “I want to reaffirm my commitment to identifying and resisting those who seek to destroy the political environment, hinder the national election process, and pave the way for the rise of fascism.” While demanding the arrest and swift trial of those involved in Sohag’s murder, the BNP leader strongly criticised law enforcement agencies for their inaction. He noted that police interrogations of the arrested individuals have revealed no political affiliations. “Although there is no evidence of direct involvement or presence in the murder, those charged have been expelled for life in line with party discipline,” he said, reiterating BNP’s firm stance that “a criminal has no party identity, and the party bears no responsibility for an individual’s wrongdoing.” Fakhrul questioned whether there was equal public outrage in other recent violent incidents, including the murders in Muradnagar, Cumilla, the attack on a mosque Imam in Cumilla, and the killing and dismemberment of Jubo Dal leader Mahbub Molla in Khulna. He warned against coordinated campaigns that aim to discredit BNP. “Despite the party’s firm stance, a certain group is brazenly attempting to tarnish the integrity and assassinate the character of BNP’s top leadership,” he said. Fakhrul also denounced what he called “orchestrated propaganda” and “obscene slogans” used against BNP. “The echoes of fascist rhetoric and the voices of the Awami League are once again being heard... defying the public’s desire for healthy politics in the country.” He dismissed any notion of leniency for the perpetrators. “There is no scope for mercy for the culprit, nor does the question of taking sides arise,” he said, condemning attempts to use the murder for political character assassination. “The systematic character assassination of an individual, despite the party’s decisive action to remove them from posts based solely on allegations, raises serious questions about the country’s democratic progress.” BNP pledged to support the victim’s family and help pursue justice. “Sohag’s political identity is irrelevant. Alongside his family, we demand exemplary punishment for the perpetrators,” Fakhrul said. “Our party remains steadfast in demanding a swift trial and exemplary punishment in the murder case.” He warned against any plot to divide the pro-democracy movement, saying, “We must prevent any plot to undermine anti-fascist unity and refuse to fall into traps that fuel conflict. We will not allow fascist conspiracies to take hold in Bangladesh.” “We remain committed to establishing true democracy through the united stand of all democratic forces. If degenerate dictatorship or conspirators obstruct fair elections and the nation’s future, we will resist together,” Fakhrul concluded. Party Standing Committee members Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Salah Uddin Ahmed, Selima Rahman, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, and AZM Zahid Hossain were present at the press conferenc. This article was originally published on The Daily sun.   [Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.] BP/SP