DHAKA, Nov 6, 2023 (BSS)-Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal today said the BNP carried out arson attacks and terrorist activities to come in power.

“They (BNP) want to come to the power by creating anarchy through vandalism and arson attacks across the country in the name of blockade and hartal,” he told the journalists at his ministry office.

The minister said the BNP knows that they will not win the elections as the people of the country have withdrawn their support from BNP.

Replying to a question, he said the senior central leaders of BNP who were on the dais on October 28 cannot avoid the responsibility for anarchy and arson attacks which killed innocent bus helper and a policeman.

Kamal, also, a veteran freedom fighter, recalled the violence, target attacks on law enforcers became a hallmark of BNP-Jamaat in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

He mentioned that a terrorist attack on a police van is clearly an attempt to kill more policemen in the name of blockade.

Replying to another question about the annual examination in the schools, he said BNP enforced the blockade, which will hamper annual examinations across the country.

“I hope that the BNP will realize the issue of annual examination of the students and withdraw their blockade considering it.”

The minister said that the BNP launched attacks on the people and the public properties in the name of blockade and they are sparing none. Even, they were attacking ambulances and hospitals like terrorists, he said.

“Holding the elections in time and people's mandate are the only way to change any particular regime of the government,” the minister said.

Kamal also said that the BNP leaders were not arrested for political reasons, but for their involvement in the criminal activities, adding, “All the BNP leaders and activists who have been arrested so far have criminal charges against them.”

He said the BNP activists vandalized hospitals, set fire to ambulances, buses, cars, and other properties. They created panic and hostage innocent people by their anarchy.

Referring 28 October rally, the minister said the BNP activists took position in front of the residence of the Chief Justice and broke his main gate and they also thronged brickbats on judge’s complex.

As per their commitment, the BNP and its associate bodies could hold their rally at Naya Paltan, but they took position at Kakrail mosque area and beyond Fakirapool intersection, he added.

But another party held rally peacefully and after their rally they left the place smoothly.

“We are ready to take part in the elections. Our law enforcement agencies are enough capable to conduct the elections smoothly. Besides, our BGB and Ansars are ready to assist the Election Commission to hold the polls peacefully, the minister added.