67 eminent citizens demand Fakhrul’s immediate release
Staff Reporter :
Sixty-seven prominent citizens of the country have issued a statement demanding an immediate release of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir for the sake democracy.
In the statement released on Friday,they said that the release of Mirza Fakhrul could play a pivotal role in averting political conflicts and reinstating democratic norms.
The background for this call was the BNP’s grand rally in the capital on 28 October, which saw clashes between BNP supporters and the police.
Subsequently, on 29 October, the Detective Branch (DB) of the police arrested Mirza Fakhrul.
“Today, the nation is looking forward to establishing a democratic political society.
The prime minister herself has spoken of the commitment in this regard. The demand for holding national elections under a neutral government is intensifying by this time,” the statement said.
The statement highlights that the arrest of Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at this time has jeopardised the peaceful, fair and inclusive election process.
The statement further emphasises, “It appears to us that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir is a staunch advocate of peaceful political activities. His role is widely recognised for promoting peaceful political rivalry.
We believe that the release of Mirza Fakhrul can play a crucial role in reinstating democratic norms and avoiding political conflicts.” “We hope that by releasing him promptly, the government will pave the way for a peaceful, fair, and inclusive election,” the statement added.
Signatories to the statement include distinguished writer and language movement soldier Badruddin Umar,former Bangladesh Bank governor Prof Salehuddin Ahmed, former Jahangirnagar University professor and economist Anu Mohammad, former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof Anwarullah Chowdhury, former Dhaka University professors Mahbub Ullah, Ahmed Kamal and Saidur Rahman, and Emeritus Professor ATM Nurul Amin and others.
