Swechchhasebak Dal gives 24-hour ultimatum to arrest Musabbir’s killers

Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal, BNP's voluntary wing, today (8 January) issued a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest the killers of its former Dhaka North city unit leader Azizur Rahman Musabbir, warning of tougher programmes if the demand is not met.

"We demand that the killers be arrested within 24 hours. On Saturday, protest programmes will be held in Dhaka and across all metropolitan cities and districts. If the killers are not arrested within this timeframe, we will announce tougher programmes," said Swechchhasebak Dal senior vice-president Yaseen Ali.

He gave the ultimatum in a brief address before Musabbir's namaz-e-janaza in front of the BNP's Nayapaltan central office.

Azizur Rahman Musabbir, former member secretary of BNP's Dhaka North unit, was shot by assailants on Wednesday night. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him dead.

Today, his wife Suraiya Begum filed a murder case with Tejgaon Police Station against unidentified assailants.

After Zohr prayers, Musabbir's body was brought to the BNP central office where party leaders and workers paid last tributes to him.

Later, BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, BNP's voluntary affairs secretary Mir Sarafat Ali Sofu, central leaders Abdul Kader Bhuiyan Jewel, SM Jahangir, Mostafizur Rahman, Dhaka North Convener Aminul Haque, Dhaka South Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin, and other party leaders and activists attended the janaza.

Speaking briefly before the janaza, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel urged the government to arrest those responsible without delay.

"Those involved in this murder, whoever they are, must be arrested and brought to justice without delay. The government has announced elections and we welcomed the date, but the killers of Osaman Hadi are yet to be arrested and now Musabbir has been killed. We expect arrests within the 24-hour timeframe, otherwise questions will arise about the authorities' sincerity," he said.

The BNP leader hoped that the killers will be arrested within next 24 hours. "Otherwise, it will be clear that there is a lack of sincerity or failure to act. The government must take effective steps."

Sohel also said that no killing will stop BNP's political struggle under the leadership of Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. "No murder or bloodshed can obstruct our movement to establish a people's government through votes. No conspiracy will be able to stop this path."

Sarafat Ali Sofu described Musabbir as a brave and patriotic leader. "He was arrested many times during the previous regime and was even forcibly disappeared once. He was a courageous activist. This murder is unacceptable."

Dhaka North unit BNP President Aminul Haque alleged that a vested quarter is trying to derail the election by creating instability. "We believe Musabbir's killing is part of a conspiracy to destabilise the country."

Dhaka South Member Secretary Tanvir Ahmed Robin condemned the killing and warned of action if the authorities fail to act.

"We urge the government and law enforcement agencies to quickly identify and arrest the killers. "Otherwise, we will find them ourselves. This murder cannot be accepted under any circumstances," he said.