Munshiganj incident a ploy to foil war crimes trial

BNP is conspiring to turn the Munshiganj incident into a political issue aimed at diverting public attention from war crimes trial, several ruling party MPs have alleged.

Locals have been opposing the 11,250-acre airport project stretching over Munshiganj’s Sreenagar and Dhaka’s Nababganj and Dohar Upazilas.

At least one policeman died and another 42 people were injured, including four policemen in a day-long clash on Monday.

Munshiganj-1 MP Sukumar Ranjan Ghose, blaming the opposition chief, said: “The BNP cadres have resorted to criminal activities upon orders by Khaleda Zia.”

He claimed the situation was created to mislead the local people and to obstruct any agreement by them with the government.

The ruling party MP also alleged that a good amount of money was spent to provoke the locals.

Sukumar made the comments from a press conference organised by the Awami League at its party president’s office at Dhanmondi.

He assured that the government would compensate not only the land owners, but also those who make a living out of the Arial Beel.

Whip and Munshiganj-2 MP Sagufta Yeasmin Emili, Munshiganj-3 MP Idris Ali and senior leaders of the party attended the press briefing.

The speakers also expressed condolences over the death of the policeman.

The MP further said: “The opposition in no way can avoid its responsibility over the incident.”

He cited the speech by Khaleda on Saturday when she said the airport was unnecessary. “She also urged party activists to stop any move to build an airport,” the MP alleged.

“We’ve come to know that Khaleda not only instigated the locals to take law into their own hands, but also distributed money among them. All this point to her complicity in the incident,” he claimed.

“We held several formal and informal meetings with the local protection committee. Even we’re set to hold another meeting with them on Tuesday at the parliament building.”

Sukumar, meanwhile, urged locals to be on guard against any subversive activities and not to fall into any political trap or conspiracy.

bdnews24

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