BNP fabricating statements about enforced disappearances for a long time: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said BNP leaders have been issuing fabricated statements regarding cases of enforced disappearances for a long time now.

"The statements that BNP leaders have been making for a long time now about disappearances are baseless and devoid of reality. They are trying to blame the government for the disappearances and killings that have occurred as a result of BNP's internal conflict," he said in a statement yesterday.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said after the disappearance of Chattogram BNP leader Jamal Uddin, it was blamed on the government, whereas he was a victim of disappearance as a result of the internal conflict of the BNP – which was later reported in the media.

"Similarly, after the disappearance of BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed, they pointed the finger at the government yet again, though later it was revealed that he was hiding in India," the minister said.

The AL general secretary continued that a senior leader of the BNP recently said it was their party men who were involved in the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali, which was later circulated on social media.

"They [BNP] are making false statements and blaming the government in front of the international communities to gain political advantage," he said.

He said, "BNP founder Ziaur Rahman unconstitutionally and illegally seized power in this country through murders, coups and conspiracies. He started the politics of enforced disappearance in this country.

"During his regime, Mahfuz Babu, then general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Chhatra League, was murdered due to his political ideology. His body was not found by the family members. Thus Chattogram Jubo League leader Maulvi Syed was brutally killed."

Quader alleged, "Ziaur Rahman killed hundreds of freedom fighter officers and thousands of soldiers of the army and air force on charges of so-called mutiny to consolidate his illegal power. Even the bodies of many of those army officers were never found."

The minister also alleged that around 24,000 Awami League leaders and activists were killed during the BNP-Jamaat alliance regime.

"Under the direct supervision of the top BNP leaders, a terrorist group committed a massacre on 21 August 2004 with the intention of killing the national leaders of the Awami League, including Sheikh Hasina," he said.

The Awami League does not believe in politics involving murders and disappearances, said Quader, adding, "Rather, Awami League has repeatedly been the cruel victim of such conspiracies."