68 eminent citizens call for Fakhrul’s immediate release

Bangladesh desk:  Sixty-eight eminent citizens of different professions have demanded the immediate release of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

They said the nation is looking forward to establishing a democratic political society, and the incumbent prime minister also spoke about her commitment in this regard.

“The arrest of BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has perilled the peaceful, fair and participatory election process,” the eminent citizens said in a joint statement on Friday.

The statement also said the release of Mirza Fakhrul can play an important role in avoiding conflict in politics and bringing back the practice of democratic norms.

Among the signatories of this statement are – distinguished writer and language soldier Badruddin Umar, economist Professor Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, former governor Professor Salehuddin Ahmed, former VC of Dhaka University Dr Anwar Ullah Chowdhury, Professor Mahbubullah, Professor Anu Muhammad, and others.

On 28 October, both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami called rallies in the capital, which were marred by violence. Many vehicles were torched, and two people were left dead, including a police constable. There was also an attack on the residence of the chief justice, aside from vandalism at a police hospital.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul was arrested the next day over the attacks on police, alongside hundreds of BNP activists.

The arrest was met by BNP’s announcement of a three-day blockade starting on 31 October.