Recent fire incidents may be linked, says BNP's Salahuddin

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed has alleged that recent fire incidents reported across different parts of the country may be "interconnected" and aimed at creating instability.

"The matters are still under investigation, so it is not right to comment now. However, I feel that some of these incidents are linked. Certain groups might be behind them to create unrest in the country. The fallen fascist forces could be involved - but this can only be confirmed after investigation," he said at a press conference held at the BNP chairperson's political office in Gulshan this morning (19 October).

Salahuddin welcomes NCP apology call

Commenting on recent political developments, BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "A political party has called on me to apologise. We welcome that. This is how democratic practice should work. They expressed their words with due respect."

Although he did not mention any party or leader by name, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam had earlier urged Salahuddin to apologise for his remarks describing the July Fighters - who protested on the day of the July Charter signing - as "accomplices of the fascist Awami League."

"The 'Awami fascist forces' are still trying to create chaos in various ways, which was visible even yesterday during the disorder before the signing ceremony of the July Charter," Salahuddin said.

July Charter will be 'fraud and farce with the nation' without legal foundation, warns NCP

He claimed that parts of his previous remarks had been "selectively edited and misrepresented."

"In response to journalists' questions, I had said that an organisation named 'July Fighters' contacted us, as well as the National Consensus Commission. I even made a Facebook post supporting some of their legitimate demands. The commission later amended the July Charter accordingly, so there should not have been any dissatisfaction," he said.

Salahuddin added that the unrest that took place under the name of the "July Fighters" is now under investigation. 

"It was found that a few unruly individuals posing as students infiltrated under that name. I believe they belong to the fascist forces of the fallen fascist regime. The Awami League's forces are still trying to create disorder in various places that became visible yesterday."

He further clarified that no legitimate organisation or fighter associated with the 2024 July Uprising was involved in the incidents in front of Parliament. 

"That was my clear statement," he said.

Salahuddin also claimed that his intention was to uphold the dignity of the "July Fighters", not to defame them. 

"I wanted to ensure that the unruly behaviour of some cannot be used to tarnish the honour of the July Fighters," he said.

Salahuddin said his statement on the "July Fighters," over a clash with law enforcement during the signing of the July Charter, has been partly and selectively published. 

"My statement that was broadcast, calling 'July Fighters' cohorts of fascism, was truncated and broadcast partially. I urge everyone not to air my statement by cutting it short," BSS quoted him as saying.

Meanwhile, when asked whether there was any uncertainty about holding the election in the first half of February, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "Has any political party said so far that it does not want the election in February?"

"Everyone has said the election must be held in February, in the first half of the month. If that is the case, why should there be any doubt? Some parties are campaigning for proportional representation, and that is part of democratic practice, something we have sacrificed our lives for," he added.