Friendship cannot be built with barbed wire

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Member of Parliament Nahid Islam has said, “Killings are taking place at our border again. Barbed-wire fencing is being newly installed along the border again. If anyone talks about friendship after killing the people of my country, friendship with them is not possible. Friendship cannot be built with barbed wire.”

He made the remarks on Tuesday afternoon at a discussion and documentary screening titled “Shapla Massacre: A Decade of Impunity”, organised by the NCP-backed National Ulama Alliance at the Institute of Diploma Engineers.

Nahid Islam said, “It is the responsibility of this government to protect Bangladesh’s border. If the government of this country fails, the people will take that responsibility into their own hands. Protecting Bangladesh’s border is our responsibility.”

The NCP leader also said, “It is our responsibility to secure Bangladesh’s fair share of river water. We urge the government to pay attention to these issues.”

The opposition chief whip said that because no one was held accountable for the Shapla massacre, another massacre took place in 2024. Many helped create the context for both massacres, he said.

The Shapla massacre was portrayed as Hefazat’s violence, and they were branded as terrorists and militants, he added.