’Repeated bloodshed along border must stop’
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday said repeated bloodshed along the border must stop, warning that healthy and lasting relations with India cannot be built if such incidents continue.
“If incidents of loss of life at the border continue, it will not be possible to build a healthy and lasting relationship with the neighbouring country,” Rizvi said.
He made the remarks while speaking at the 45th National Council of the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh at an event in the capital.
Referring to the reported shooting deaths of two people in Brahmanbaria on Saturday, Rizvi said ordinary people of India also do not want such incidents.
“We want a friendly relationship. But if the border is repeatedly bloodied, it is not possible to maintain good relations,” he said.
The event was presided over by Engineer Kabir Hossain and conducted by Engineer Kazi Sakhawat Hossain.
Speaking about Bangladesh-India relations, Rizvi said many describe the relationship between Dhaka and Delhi as extremely good, but border deaths raise serious questions.
“This is Bangladesh, and India is another country.
The people of our country will form a government by voting for whoever they wish and will manage their own destiny. India will also manage its own destiny.
Let them live in peace and happiness, and we will live in peace and happiness,” he said.
He said Bangladesh wants an honest, neighbourly and friendly relationship with India.
Rizvi also spoke about the country’s political situation, saying the government must act responsibly to protect the interests of professionals and productive people as it has been elected by the votes of the people.
He claimed that after 16 to 17 years, a competitive government elected through people’s votes has been formed in the country.
“For this, people had to go through long-standing demands, struggle, street movements, oppression, torture, enforced disappearances, killings and targeted assassinations.
That struggle reached its final conclusion through the July movement,” he said.
The BNP leader expressed hope that the current government would play a positive role in all sectors.
Referring to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Rizvi said people expect leadership that can consistently inspire them.
He said experts still believe the country progressed through the epoch-making steps taken by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, adding that his successor Tarique Rahman would also be able to lead successfully.
Rizvi said Tarique Rahman had not made unrealistic or deceptive promises such as “rice at Tk 10 per kg” or “jobs for every household.”
On development, he said Bangladesh can become self-sufficient in food through proper reforms and united efforts, just as Singapore reached a high level of progress despite its limitations.
