The United States and the United Kingdom on Wednesday expressed shock and concern at attack on former Foreign Secretary Reaz Rahman and urged the government to track down and hold accountable those responsible for the attack. The UK also expressed shock and concern on continuing reports of violence from across Bangladesh, including reports of an arson attack against a bus in Rangpur district this (Wednesday) morning that resulted in the deaths of a number of passengers and many injuries. In a press statement, Deputy Department Spokesperson of the US Department of State, Marie Harf said, “The United States is shocked and saddened by the attack against former Foreign Secretary Reaz Rahman, and hope for his speedy recovery.” There is no justification for such outrageous and cowardly acts in a democratic Bangladesh, Harf said condemning the use of violence for political objectives. “We urge the government of Bangladesh to investigate, track down, and hold accountable those responsible for these acts,” said the Deputy Spokesperson. Harf urged all sides to refrain from acts of violence and called on all parties to exercise restraint and eschew violence and intimidation. “We urge the government to ensure people can freely exercise their right to peaceful political expression.” In a separate statement, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson expressed his deep sadness and concern at the attack on Reaz Rahman, and continuing reports of violence from across Bangladesh, including reports of an arson attack against a bus in Rangpur district this morning that resulted in the deaths of a number of passengers and many injuries. “I deplore the horrific attack against the former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Reaz Rahman, and am deeply saddened by the news of the attack on a bus in Rangpur, which resulted in tragic loss of life and injury. I send my deepest sympathies to the victims and their families,” he said. Gibson urged the government of Bangladesh to investigate these crimes, and to bring those responsible to justice. “The UK continues to call for all parties to exercise restraint and moderation and respect the rule of law, and to come together in a dialogue to break the cycle of violence and disruption,” he added. Unidentified people shot BNP chairperson’s adviser Reaz Rahman and then torched his car at the capital’s Gulshan-2 on Tuesday night. Two bullets hit the 74-year-old in the left leg and two below his waist, but the bullets did not cause major injuries to his internal organs, according to doctors.– UNB, Dhaka
