BNP's Fakhrul blames Awami League’s inaction for Pilkhana carnage

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has blamed the “inaction” of the Awami League government, which was in power during the Pilkhana massacre 16 years ago, for the extent of the violence.

"The most unfortunate thing was those in power, the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina, refrained from taking action in a planned way, and let the incidents occur. The Pilkhana massacre went on for two days," he said.

Fakhrul spoke to the media after paying respects to the martyred military personnel at the Banani Military Graveyard on Tuesday, as the country observed "National Martyred Army Day" for the first time.

"The foes of Bangladesh and it's army hatched a conspiracy and killed 57 skilled army officers gruesomely in the name of the BDR mutiny. They almost destroyed the security system [of the country]," Fakhrul said.

He said the main goal of the enemies of Bangladesh was to attack the country's security forces and destroy the army's morale to weaken them. That was why the incidents were planned, he said.

"However, we thank the interim government that at least they declared the day as the National Martyred Army Day. We hope the incident will undergo a proper, full-fledged and impartial investigation and the perpetrators will be punished."

He called the day of BDR carnage “ignominious” for the nation.

"Today we gathered after so many years. The country went through a large political change. The students and public provided us an opportunity to create a new Bangladesh by toppling the fascist power," said the BNP secretary general.