BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Monday warned that the people will give a fitting reply to the government's repressive acts through a strong movement.
"Our seven leaders and workers have so far been shot dead while two others were tortured to death by the Awami League cadres in our ongoing movement. A former MP also lost his life on Monday due to their torture,” Fakhrul said while talking to journalists after consoling the family members of Shahjahan Khan, the former MP of Patuakhali-3 Constituency, at LabAid Hospital of Dhanmondi area in Dhaka.
“People have woken up against the government’s repression and suppression. We believe that we will be able to avenge the death of Shahjahan Khan through the current movement as the people will give the government a fitting reply."
On November 4 Khan was injured critically in an attack allegedly by the Awami League activists in the Telikhai area on his way to Barishal to join BNP’s divisional rally from Patuakhali.
He was admitted to a hospital in Patuakhali and later shifted to LabAid Hospital on November 22 as his condition deteriorated.
Khan breathed his last at the same hospital at 10:00am on Monday while undergoing treatment at the age of 71.
Hearing the news of his death, Fakhrul and the party’s other senior leaders rushed to the hospital and talked to the bereaved family members.
Fakhrul said Khan’s death was not a natural one as the ruling party men beat him indiscriminately, leaving him seriously injured. “One of his kidneys was damaged and the blood of his entire body became toxic due to tremendous beating.”
"A serious vacuum for nationalist politics in the southern region has been created through the demise of Shahjahan Khan,” he observed.
He also recalled the former MP’s contributions to BNP saying he was a guardian of the people of the southern region as he carried out struggle throughout his life for establishing their rights and ensuring their welfare.
On behalf of BNP, its Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Fakhrul expressed deep shock at his death.
He also prayed for the salvation of Khan’s departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.
The BNP leader paid homage to Khan by standing in solemn silence for a while in front of his remains at the hospital.
