Zakir Hossain From Dhaka
Bangladesh’s ruling BNP has stepped up action against party leaders and activists accused of extortion, land grabbing, vandalism, violence and other criminal activities, with the leadership warning that political identity will not protect offenders.
Party sources said allegations against BNP members and those of affiliated organisations, including Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal, are being investigated. Those found guilty could face expulsion, removal from party posts, show-cause notices and, in serious cases, legal action.
The party is adopting a two-pronged approach, taking action against proven offenders while scrutinising allegations suspected to be politically motivated. Information is being collected from grassroots units on individuals repeatedly accused of criminal activities or breaches of discipline.
BNP Vice Chairman Shamsuzzaman Dudu said some allegations of extortion, toll collection and land grabbing were politically motivated. “However, if any BNP leader or activist is proven to be involved in such activities, strict action will be taken,” he said.
BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Imran Saleh Prince said action would follow proper investigation. “No one can use the party’s name to serve personal or political interests,” he said, urging law enforcement agencies to act firmly against extortionists and land grabbers.
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has announced a “zero-tolerance” policy against terrorism and criminal activities in the party’s name. He said no concession would be given to anyone involved in unethical, illegal, violent or criminal acts, adding that organisational action had already been taken against several thousand BNP and affiliated-organisation members.
Party leaders, however, said allegations alone would not establish guilt and each case must be verified before action.
The move comes after names allegedly linked to local BNP units surfaced in connection with attacks and vandalism at the Radda MCH-FP Centre in Dhaka’s Mirpur and at content creator Salman Muqtadir’s studio in the ECB area. Investigations are under way and several people have been arrested.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said no one would be spared if political links were established in the Radda incident. He said police operations against extortionists, criminals, arms carriers and drug dealers were continuing and would be intensified. Police regularly maintain and update lists of such criminals, he added.
“An offender will be treated as an offender. No political identity will be taken into consideration,” Salahuddin said. He also said action would be taken against a police officer over alleged negligence in the Radda incident.
Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said the government was concerned and embarrassed whenever citizens’ rights were violated, establishments vandalised or people attacked, and said those found responsible would face legal action.
Meanwhile, sections of BNP grassroots workers have called for an internal cleansing drive, arguing that long-time activists should not be equated with people who recently began exploiting the party’s identity after it came to power.
They have sought action against so-called “hybrid” or “new BNP” members and called for political background, organisational involvement and public engagement to be assessed before appointments to party committees.
The BNP leadership has also stressed stronger accountability from the central level to the grassroots. Disciplinary measures, including expulsion, removal from posts and show-cause notices, have already been taken in Chilmari in Kurigram, Patgram in Lalmonirhat, Comilla and different parts of Dhaka.
Party policymakers said the measures were aimed at protecting organisational discipline and the BNP’s image, and ensuring political identity could not be used as a shield against criminal activity.
BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said: “True activists of the nationalist ideology can never be involved in extortion or land grabbing. The BNP will not spare anyone who engages in criminal activities using the party’s name. Organizational action as well as legal action will be taken against them.”