In a stark warning ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has slammed the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government for its inability to curb rampant political assassinations. Local reports from Friday detail a string of brutal murders targeting BNP affiliates, fueling accusations of state negligence in upholding public safety.
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP’s general secretary, addressed reporters from Thakurgaon, painting a grim picture: ‘The systematic killing of our party leaders is intolerable.’ He emphasized the lack of government response despite BNP’s repeated condemnations, calling for heightened vigilance to safeguard the polls.
Grief gripped Joypurhat’s Panchbibi area after attackers slew Jubo Dal activist Yanul Hussain, 31, late Thursday. His younger sibling, Abdul Momin, 22, remains critically injured following the ambush by suspected opponents. Taken to a local clinic, Yanul was declared dead on arrival, while Momin fights for life in ongoing treatment.
Police station chief Hafiz Raihan affirmed the probe into the homicide, as locals point to political rivalries. This follows a deadly shooting in Dhaka on Wednesday, where BNP’s Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal leader Azizur Rahman Mosabbir was gunned down at a Karwan Bazar tea shop. Motorcycle-riding gunmen unleashed chaos behind Bashundhara City mall before escaping.
These incidents reflect a surge in pre-poll unrest, with BNP demanding accountability. As election day nears, the violence raises questions about the interim regime’s grip on security. Analysts warn that without swift interventions, Bangladesh risks deeper divisions and eroded faith in its democratic institutions.