BNP, Chhatra Dal rally demands justice for Mitford murder, condemns propaganda against Tarique
Speaking at the rally, Mirza Abbas has alleged that a specific group is targeting BNP in a bid to eliminate it and maintain power
Leaders and activists from BNP's Dhaka Metropolitan North and South units, along with Jatiyotabadi Chhatra Dal, held a large rally in the capital this afternoon (14 July) to protest propaganda against party acting chairman Tarique Rahman and to demand justice for the recent Mitford murder.
Speaking at the rally in the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, the party's Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas claimed the Midford murder victim was a BNP supporter.
"This incident is unacceptable and should never happen again in Bangladesh. But we must question who is really benefitting from this," Abbas said.
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He alleged that the footage of the incident appeared staged, noting, "There was no movement or struggle in the video. It looked like it was pre-recorded to push a narrative - that BNP is to blame."
Dismissing the allegation of BNP's involvement, Abbas said, "This has nothing to do with the reality or the BNP. I can show you photos of a boy named Mahim posing with NCP leaders. They are trying to pin this on us because they fear the BNP's return to power."
"The BNP is a popular party. It lives in the hearts of the people. No matter how much propaganda is spread, this party cannot be erased," he added.
Abbas claimed that a specific group is targeting the BNP in an effort to eliminate the party and hold onto power.
In response to certain slogans like "The BNP will go down the same way Awami Legaue did", Mirza Abbas declared, "We have nowhere else to go. Bangladesh is our permanent address."
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dhaka Metropolitan North Convener Aminul Haque, and South Convener Rafiqul Alam Majnu were also present at the rally.
The protest ended with a procession that moved from Nayapaltan to the National Press Club via Kakrail and Matsya Bhaban.
Earlier at 3:30pm, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal held a separate procession from Nayapaltan to Shahbagh.
Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal President Rakibul Islam Rakib and General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir joined the rally.
Visiting the Nayapaltan area, it was observed that the participants were shouting various slogans, carrying banners and festoons.
Due to the gathering, the usual flow of traffic in Nayapaltan and its nearby areas was disrupted.
Additional police teams were deployed in the area to avert any untoward incidents.
