Leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League have voiced concern over the murder of Gaibandha-1 MP Manzurul Islam Liton.
They are not sure if this was a terrorist attack or an attack by the political rivals.
Two central AL leaders,seeking anonymity, told Prothom Alo that two big incidents happened in a day. The attempt to kill local AL leader in Khulna and then the murder of MP Liton at his house were cause for alarm.
The AL leaders think that the incidents are not related, but they feel the killing of Gaibandha MP was part of a pre-planned plot.
Party sources said prime minister Sheikh Hasina has told the AL leaders to arrange political programmes in the areas where Jamaat and militant groups are mostly active. She also directed the AL leaders to involve the public in in the events, the sources added.
The central leaders of the Awami League are planning to stage programmes accordngly.
The sources added that the party has no plan to stage any protest programme condemning the murder of the MP.
The AL’s executive council is set for a meeting on Wednesday. The AL leaders assumed that the party’s president, Sheikh Hasina, may present guidelines at the meeting in view of the present political situation.
Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader on Sunday termed the Gaibandha MP killing a “cold-blooded murder by communal forces.”
Also the road transport and bridges minister, Quader warned that “the religious extremist group will have to pay a heavy price for the killing.”
“Sundarganj AL MP was killed in a pre-planned manner. It appears to be a cool-headed and cowardly killing by communal forces,” Quader told newsmen after an emergency meeting of the party’s secretaries at party president’s Dhanmondi office.
The minister, however, did not elaborate on the identity of the religious extremist group.
He went on to say, “We want to clearly state that the communal force has launched a brutal attack when New Year celebrations were underway.”
“Bangladesh is advancing fast. Along with the people, we will resist those who are patronising killers to create anarchy in the country, In Sha Allah,” said the minister.
Another member of parliament said after the killing of the child in Sundarganj, authorities seized firearms from Manzurul Islam. The MP was not given proper security despite threats, the local MP added.
More than one MP said militant activities were much higher in the northern region of the country. It has been said that there is a den of the militant group on the banks of Jamuna. There is confllict among the local leaders, too.
AL joint general secretary Mahbubul Alam Hanif said Jamaat was strogly against MP Manzurul as be was strongly against their activities. They are initially suspected in the killing.