The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party said on Monday that the Awami League had not only killed democracy but was now selectively killing democracy-loving people as well.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the allegation in a statement issued condemning the killing of Thakurgaon’s Haripur upazila unit Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal member secretary Akram Hossain in police torture.

Reportedly, the police arrested five people, including Juba Dal leader Akram Hossain, at about 9:00pm on Sunday.

Akram died on the way to court from the police station on Monday.

Fakhrul complained that Akram Hossain died due to demonic and cruel torture by the police.

He strongly condemned and protested against the incident and said that the killing of Akram Hossain proved once again that the Awami League was a political party that was traditionally enthusiastic about killing.

‘They [AL] have not only killed democracy, but they are also now selectively killing democracy-loving people,’ he said, adding that they are implementing a programme to wipe out opposition parties, including BNP, leaving Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and people unprotected.

He said that when famine was prevailing in the whole country, the dummy government indulged in a game of blood shedding to divert people’s attention.

The rule of law has been sent into exile to maintain Awami rule in the country, he said, adding that the safety of people’s lives and property is now under extreme threat.

‘Even in the holy month of Ramadan, the ruling party is not backing down from the cruel act of bloodshed,’ he said.

He demanded that the killers of Akram Hossain be brought under the law.