'Govt adviser from Cumilla's Muradnagar' abusing power: Fakhrul
Fakhrul likened the current situation to the "fascist era", alleging that grabbing minority communities’ homes and properties has once again become a pattern, with blame conveniently shifted elsewhere
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has held an adviser of the interim government from Cumilla's Muradnagar responsible for fostering an environment of impunity that allegedly led to the rape and torture of an expatriate's wife, demanding exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
In a statement issued today (29 June), Fakhrul alleged that Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain has been abusing his authority in Muradnagar for personal gain, which, he claimed, has emboldened criminals in the area to carry out anti-social and violent acts with impunity.
"We are deeply shocked by the brutal and disgraceful incident of molestation and torture of a woman in Muradnagar. While the entire nation is outraged, a vested quarter is trying to politicise this horrific act and divert attention away from justice," he said.
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Fakhrul likened the current situation to the "fascist era", alleging that grabbing minority communities' homes and properties has once again become a pattern, with blame conveniently shifted elsewhere.
He accused Adviser Asif of using state power to establish personal control in the area, echoing the alleged practices of former ruling party MPs.
"Since taking up his advisory role, he has been preoccupied with consolidating influence rather than serving the public interest," Fakhrul said.
Warning of further unrest, he said peace in the area would remain elusive as long as personal interest takes precedence over good governance.
He also accused the ruling Awami League of employing "dirty political tricks" to destroy communal harmony for its own gain.
Fakhrul further alleged that a powerful and well-resourced faction is using rape and communal violence to tarnish the BNP's image by shifting blame onto the party.
"These criminals commit violence with external and internal support and aim to frame BNP in the process," he said.
Calling for unity beyond political or religious identities, he said, "Those who torture women are enemies of civilisation and must be treated as such. They must not be protected under any political banner. I demand swift and exemplary punishment for those involved in the Muradnagar atrocity."
