DHAKA, Dec 10, 2023 (BSS) - Tanha, daughter of police constable Amirul Islam who was killed at BNP's rally on October 28, said, "I am saving money to buy my father from Allah".

"I am saving money to buy my father from Allah. I will become a police
officer when I grow up," she told a discussion at the Shilpokala Academy here marking the Human Rights Day.

Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud and organizing Secretary Sujit Ray Nundi, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, other leaders, Director General of Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky and prominent cultural personalities, among others, were present at the discussion.

The family members of the victims of the different attacks of 1977, 2013, 14, 15, 2004, petrol bomb attacks and various human rights violations in the country demanded 'BNP-Jamaat's punishment for their involvement in these incidents.

"Thirteen people sustained burn injuries in a Laguna as cocktail exploded in Chankharpool area. The vehicle caught fire. We don't do politics. What was our offence?" a burnt Liton Mia of the incident questioned.

At that time, Runi Begum, the mother of Nahid, who was killed in the bus fire incident in Shahbag area, said, "I couldn't see my child's body. I want justice for the killing of my child."

Sultana Bina said, "My children can't call their father. What crime did my husband commit? I urge the Prime Minister to ensure punishment to the offenders."

At the discussion, Ruma Aktar, wife of police constable Amirul Islam Parvez, said, "The way Amirul was killed, we couldn't even see his face. I urge the Prime Minister to give punishment to the criminals."

She said, "My husband is a victim of BNP-Jamaat violence on October 28. What was wrong with him? Why was he killed? He didn't do any politics. Why was he killed in a political programme?" she asked.

Ruma Akhtar said, "Six-year-old Tanha repeatedly asked, when her father will return home? When a policeman gives money, she keeps that money and says that she will buy her father with the money. When my daughter grows up, she will be a police officer and prosecute her father's murder."

She said, "My two children couldn't touch their father's body. Their only promise now is to become police officer and prosecute the murder of their father. Whenever they see a policeman, they look for their father."

Recently, during the blockade programme of BNP, a bus of Achim Paribahan was set on fire and helper Abu Naeem, who was sleeping in the bus, was burnt to death.

Abu Naeem's mother said, "Jamaat-e-Islam-BNP is burning people. My son was burnt to death. I urge the prime minister to take this seriously. So that they understand the suffering of a mother who has lost a child, I want them to be punished severely," she added.

Besides, the victims of arson attack of BNP-Jamaat in the name of
movement have demanded speedy trial of the arsonists.

Advocate Tarana Halim, Dr. Nuzhat Chowdhury and Nahid Izhar Khan moderated the discussion. Some victims highlighted their pains and suffering at the discussion. In the silence of the audience, they spoke about those days and hardships. Many present at the event were seen in tears.

Afroza Begum, wife of Jahangir Alam who killed in arson attack while members of victim families Sheikh Sajjad, brother of Azad Sheikh, father of Zahidul Islam, Abul Hossain, mother of Zahid Hasan, injured Shahadat Hossain Babul, Ed. Khodeja Nasreen, Geeta Sen, Manik Saha's brother Pradeep Saha, Naseema Ferdous injured in the August 21 grenade attack, Nazim Uddin, Kazi Shahanara Yasmin, Rashida Akhtar, Mehrun Nescha Mary highlighted their pains and suffering at the beginning of the discussion.

The artistes of Shilpakala Academy depicted the pain of the fire victims through a drama.