A group of 67 prominent citizens in the country have issued a statement on Friday (November 3) demanding the immediate release of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

In the statement, they said that the release of the BNP secretary general would play an important role in shunning the path of politics of confrontation and restoration of the democratic practices in the country.

Fakhrul announced down-to-dusk hartal for October 29 from the party’s grand rally held on October 28 which saw clashes between BNP supporters and the police. Subsequently, on October 29, the Detective Branch (DB) of Police arrested him.

Eminent citizens have expressed that the entire nation eagerly anticipates the establishment of a thriving democratic atmosphere in the country, a vision also cherished by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The next general election will be held under a nonparty caretaker administration and the demand has gradually been stronger ahead of the election left for only three months, they said.

In this circumstance, the detention of the BNP secretary general will hinder the path of holding the next general election in a free, fair and peaceful manner, they said.

The eminent personalities also thought that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir believes in peaceful movement and his role is important and well-known for peaceful political activities.

Fakhrul’s release will play an important role in reinstating the practices of democratic politics shunning the path of politics of vengeance in the country, they said.

“We hope that the government will ensure release of Mirza Fakhrul Islamgir immediately paving the path of impartial and including national election,” they said.

Signatories to the statement include Badruddin Umar, Salehuddin Ahmed, Anu Muhammad, Anwarullah Chowdhury, Mahbub Ullah, Ahmed Kamal, Saidur Rahman, ATM Nurul Amin, Sadrul Amin, Akmal Hossain, AFM Yusuf Haider, Sirajul Islam, CR Abbar, ABM Obaidul Islam, and others.

BDST: 1709 HRS, NOV 03, 2023
MSK