Staff Correpondent

BNP’s Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday protested the recent spate of arson and bomb attacks fearing the incidents to be part of a deep-rooted conspiracy.

"Those who are setting fires and hurling bombs are enemies of Bangladesh's independence and democracy. Everyone must remain alert and prepared,” he told a protest rally in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh here, organized by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD).

Rizvi, also the political adviser to the prime minister, added “the streets were leased out to anyone”.

As part of the protest JCD also staged a huge procession from the Central Shaheed Minar to Shahbagh ahead of the rally, protesting “conspiracies to destabilize the country through planned terrorism”.

Rizvi spontaneous participation of youths in JCD's rally proved that a large section of the young generation stood firmly in favor of nationalist forces.

He said news reports referring to arrested suspects’ confessions suggested perpetrators were receiving instructions and money from a neighboring country to carry on of arson attacks on buses and CNG auto-rickshaws, explode bombs and photograph the acts as proof of their actions.

"This planned terrorism is being directed from a phone number belonging to a neighbouring country, which exposes the depth of the conspiracy," Rizvi said, adding that the government led by Tarique Rahman always prioritizes national interests and public welfare.

Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee also addressed the rally saying the people witnessed the corruption and misrule of the fascist regime over the past 17 years.

But under Tarique Rahman’s premiership the government was working to advance the nation's development alongside actively tackling conspirators on the street.

BNP Student Affairs Secretary Rakibul Islam Bakul said that while the government is striving to rebuild the economy and construct a new Bangladesh, a vested quarter associated with the fallen fascist regime was attempting to hamper national development through arson and intimidation.

JCD President Rakibul Islam Rakib chaired the rally, joined by leaders and activists from various units of the student organization.