'We have evidence of what they've done'

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday denied BNP's allegation of arresting its leaders and activists arbitrarily, saying that members of law enforcement agencies do not just arrest any innocent person.

He came up with the remarks while replying to a query from reporters after addressing the triennial conference of Bangladesh Chhatra Jubo Oikya Parishad -- a wing of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad -- at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) auditorium in the city.

The Home Minister urged BNP to prove that its arrested leaders and activists are not offenders. “We have evidence of what they've done… Even video footage in this regard,” he said.

Replying to another question about the arrest of Mozammel Haque Chowdhury, secretary general of passengers' welfare platform Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity, he said law enforcers are looking into the case filed against him. “There's no reason to be worried. He won't face any problem if his involvement is not found during investigation,” Asaduzzaman added.

Earlier, addressing the function, the Home Minister said religion is for individuals but the state is for all. “Everyone here will stay together and perform their respective religious rituals.”

No one can stop the development of Bangladesh, which was founded with a non-communal spirit, he said.

“The struggle for establishing equal rights and equal status for all will continue,” he added.

Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon also addressed the function.