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Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Standing Committee Member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy said on Sunday any conspiracies to create unrest during the upcoming Durga Puja will not succeed, and BNP leaders and activists will remain vigilant to ensure stability during the festival.
The BNP leader pointed to some events and rumours without specifying and said these hint to the possibility of the defeated regime, ousted in the July-August Anti Discrimination Movement, trying to undermine the new leadership in Bangladesh.
"There are some incidents and rumours. The defeated force of 5th August is not sitting idle," he said, adding that the supporters of the ousted party may be attempting a sabotage during the Hindu festival.
The BNP leader made these remarks to the media after paying tribute at the grave of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, marking 31st founding anniversary of 'Zia Mancha'.
He said as per the directive of BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the party leaders and activists will spearhead the security at puja mandaps in different areas.
"If any BNP leader fails to maintain stability during the Druga Puja in his respective area, then our party will take stern action."
"False cases filed against the BNP acting chairperson and others must be withdrawn to keep the democratic system vibrant. Otherwise, it will be a matter of sorrow."
"We hope that the interim government would save us from not appearing courts at regular intervals, considering our participation in the anti-Sheikh Hasina movement."
He stressed on forging greater unity among the like-minded political parties to help return democracy in the country through a free and fair national election.
"The present government does not belong to a particular political party, rather it was formed through collective movement of all."
"Those in the interim government, including Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, are not political persons. We hope that they wouldn't interfere in the matter of politics and would facilitate the smooth transition of democratic system in the country," he added.
Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said on Sunday if voted to power, his party will make military training for youths of 18 years compulsory.
He mentioned that many countries in the world provide one to two years military training to their youths.
He made his proposal for at a discussion, organised by Jatiyatabadi Muktijoddha Dal (JMD) at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
He said people who live in the hill tracts are not complicated, but conspiracies have been hatched to mislead them.
"I call upon the neighbouring countries not to instigate the people of the hill tracts by giving training and arms. All the people of Bangladesh are ready to fight."
The BNP leader noted that the revolution had not happened just only by the students, and BNP had been conducting a continuous anti-Sheikh Hasina movement for the last 17 years.
Hafiz Uddin stressed on eliminating corruption from the country and suggested strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission.