DHAKA, Jan 09, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) today filed two separate complaints with the office of the chief prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) over the killings of 2,276 people in so-called 'crossfire' and enforced disappearances of 153 leaders and activists of their party from 2008 to August 5, 2024.

Mohammad Salauddin Khan, coordinator of BNP's litigation data collection cell, enforced disappearances and killings, submitted the complaints on behalf of party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, this morning. Advocate Nurul Islam Jahid was present at the time, for the party.

ICT prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman confirmed the matter to BSS.

"Hundreds of leaders and activists of our party were killed in crossfire. Many of our leaders and activists, including Salah Uddin Ahmed, Ilias Ali and Chowdhury Alam, had fallen victim to enforced disappearance, many are yet to return to their families," Salauddin Khan said.

The complaint said the head of the Awami League government, party goons and some over enthusiastic members of law enforcing agencies, aimed at destroying and getting rid of a political party like BNP, had abducted, killed and kept its leaders, activists and supporters under enforced disappearance from 2008 to August 5, 2024. 

"As per the information of BNP, 153 people have so far been killed or kept under detention following their enforced disappearance...It is being requested to take steps to file cases following enquiry and investigation in this regard," it added.

BNP also accused that a total of 2,276 party men were killed in so-called crossfire for destroying the party, making the party supporters leave the country in fear and keeping them at bay from party activities.