Govt kept people in the dark about Rakhine corridor: BNP's Hafiz

BNP Standing Committee member Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Tuesday alleged that the government kept the public and political parties in the dark about the humanitarian corridor to Myanmar's Rakhine State and warned that it could drag Bangladesh into a war.

"We are deeply worried that the current government is talking about a humanitarian corridor [to Rakhine]. We don't know what kind of corridor it will be—the people don't know, the political parties don't know—what its purpose is. Are we going to get involved in a new war?" he said during a discussion.

On such a crucial issue, the BNP leader said the government should have discussed it with political parties.

International Farakka Committee, Bangladesh, arranged the roundtable discussion at the Jatiya Press Club, commemorating populist leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani's long march towards the Farakka Dam 49 years ago.

Hafiz noted that the foreign affairs adviser and the chief adviser's press secretary made conflicting statements regarding the corridor.

"Someone said that an agreement has been made but its conditions cannot be disclosed. One of its advisers said they have not given a final opinion on the corridor. So, people are in the dark. What kind of government is this!" he said.

The BNP leader said the people of Bangladesh ousted the mafia regime of Sheikh Hasina through a 16-year struggle for the restoration of democracy. "Why should we still remain in the dark? The most popular party, BNP, also does not know what kind of corridor it is or what will be done with it."

He said there is no alternative for Bangladesh but to gain strength by utilising its military and the younger generation.

"Myanmar is a country of six crore people, while we are a country of 18 crore. What is the purpose of maintaining our large army? Will it only be used to rescue empty canals and rivers, distribute relief, and build bridges? Or is its main task to safeguard our independence by empowering the people? A state decision is needed on this matter," the BNP leader said.

He said a strong unity among the people is essential, as Bangladesh has a very vibrant young population.

"We, imbued with a nationalist spirit, must turn Bangladesh into a powerful country. We want to remain united; we will not be involved in any kind of aggression. Our goal is overall economic emancipation and progress. To achieve this, we need an elected government, discarding the current amateur one," the BNP leader said.

Speaking at the programme, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said India is unilaterally withdrawing water from many common rivers, violating the internal rules and norms.

He criticised India for its aggressive attitude towards its neighbours stance and for depriving Bangladesh of its fair share of water from common rivers, including the Ganges, through the construction of the Farakka Barrage and other dams.

Rizvi said Bangladesh did not take any side during the recent brief conflict between India and Pakistan.

He, however, lamented that the Indian media launched various negative campaigns, attempting to associate Bangladesh with Pakistan.