BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday said the brutal killing of a trader at Mitford is not just the loss of a life, but a clear sign of serious failure in ensuring public safety, citizens’ rights and law and order.

In a statement, he strongly condemned and protested the incident and said such barbaric acts have no connection with BNP’s ideology, principles, or politics.

“Whoever the offender is, his or her place can never be above the law and justice. This brutal incident, which took place after the fall of the Awami fascist government in the mass movement of July-August, has deeply shaken the conscience of the people of the country,” the BNP leader said.

Unless exemplary punishment is ensured for such a heinous and disgusting crime committed in broad daylight, Fakhrul said the culture of impunity will push society into deeper darkness.

He called upon the interim government to carry out a neutral and credible investigation, and ensure exemplary punishment for the real offenders by bringing them under trial.

Fakhrul prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and expressed deep sympathy to the victim’s family members.

Earlier on Wednesday, a young trade Mohammad Sohag was brutally hacked and beaten to death in public at the main gate of Mitford Hospital in the old part of the capital.

In a separate statements on Friday night, Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, and Swechchhasebak Dal announced the expulsion of five of their leaders and activists from their organisations for life over the killing incident in Old Dhaka.

They are Jubo Dal’s former Climate Affairs Assistant Secretary Razzab Ali (Pintu), its Dhaka South City unit Joint Convenor Sabah Karim (Lucky), Chhatra Dal’s Chawkbazar Thana unit Member Secretary Apu Das, its leader Mahmudul Hasan Mahin and Swechchhasebak Dal activist Kalu.