BNP today protested killing of ruling party men in “crossfire”, saying the government has resorted to extrajudicial killings after getting frightened by slide in the country’s law and order.

The party also expressed concern that the government might start killing opposition men in a similar fashion after killing a few Awami League activists in “crossfire”.

Addressing a briefing at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, BNP Spokesperson Asaduzzaman Ripon said the law and order has deteriorated to such a level that the government has resorted to “crossfire” to check it instead of taking legal measures.

“Killing in ‘crossfire’ cannot be a solution to tackle the deterioration of law and order situation. The government has created a panic in the country through it,” Ripon, also BNP’s international affairs secretary, said.

Pointing at the killings of several Awami League men over the last couple of days, Ripon said criminal activities, including children and women abuse and rape have marked a sharp rise, but “crossfire” cannot be a tool to maintain law and order.

Ripon strongly denounced the recent killings of AL men in “crossfire” and said BNP is always against extrajudicial killings irrespective of the victim’s political identity or social status.

“BNP thinks law and order situation can be restored easily without resorting to ‘crossfire’ if the political stalemate is resolved, and freedom of expression can be ensured,” he added.

The BNP leader also reiterated the party’s call for holding a free, fair and inclusive election to restore peace in the country.

On the latest incident of suspending Gazipur City Corporation Mayor MA Mannan, the BNP spokesperson said the government has moved to politicise the local government bodies by appointing their party men in place of the BNP-blessed elected representatives.