BNP urges cops to inform the whereabouts of JCD leader Russell
Staff Reporter :
The main opposition party, BNP, demanded on Thursday that the police disclose the whereabouts of Atiqur Rahman Russell, Vice President of the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) Dhaka College unit.
“Everyone knows that law enforcement officials have taken away JCD leader Atiqur Rahman Russell. However, despite several days passing, they have not presented him in court.
We do not know in which ‘Ayna Ghor’ (room decorated with glasses) they have detained Russell,” stated BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi during a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office in the capital.
The press conference, organised by the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), aimed to bring attention to Atiqur Rahman Russell’s whereabouts. Present at the conference were BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul, JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib, General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, and others.
Central leaders of JCD allege that Russell has been missing since plainclothes police officers picked him up in the Azimpur area of the capital on July 1st.
Rizvi further alleged, “JCD leaders, activists, and democracy-loving individuals are being forcibly disappeared at the behest of the Prime Minister to safeguard her own power. It is clear to everyone that Atiqur Rahman Russell is in the custody of law enforcement agencies. This systematic action against democratic student organisations and BNP is intended to foment tension and fear.”
In response to a question, Rizvi strongly criticised the government for resorting to what he termed inhumane tactics, such as planned disappearances.
“We strongly condemn these actions. We demand that the government immediately release Atiqur Rahman Russell and return him to his father,” he asserted. Rizvi warned that if the government fails to comply, the Chhatra Dal will launch a vigorous movement against it.
Rizvi went on to allege a close and concerning relationship between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the judiciary, suggesting a “telepathic connection” where court decisions appear to align with her thoughts.
“It appears to us that the Awami League government shares a telepathic connection with the judiciary. The Prime Minister’s thoughts seem to influence court verdicts. How can such a telepathic relationship exist?” questioned Rizvi.
The BNP leader also questioned the judiciary’s decision to issue an order reinstating quotas in government jobs after the government had revoked it through a circular.
“Everyone knows that innocent students are protesting on the streets, leaving their classes, and demonstrating daily. Shouldn’t they protest? Is this not unfair and unjust?” Rizvi asked.
Rizvi further criticised the government, alleging that under Sheikh Hasina’s leadership, qualified students are being denied job opportunities due to leaked question papers during competitive examinations like the PSC. He accused the government of allowing individuals who obtained cadre positions through exams with leaked papers to become officers and deputy commissioners, suggesting a decline in the value of meritocracy.
Finally, Rizvi accused the current government of promoting a culture of enforced disapearances and extrajudicial killings in the country, labelling it barbaric.
