Dhaka: Criticising the government for what it said resorting to crossfire getting unnerved over the serious slide in law and order, Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Thursday urged the government to ensure the rule of law stopping extrajudicial killings.

Speaking at a press briefing at BNP's Nayaplatan central office, party spokesman Asaduzzaman Ripon also feared that the government may kill opposition leaders and activists in the same style after killing a few ruling party men in crossfire.

‘The country's law and order has deteriorated to such a level that the government has resorted to crossfire to check it instead of taking legal steps. Extrajudicial killings can't be any solution to any problem. We think the government wants to create panic in the country through it,’ he said.

Ripon further said, ‘We fear the government after killing two-four Awami League activists in crossfire will start killing opposition leaders and activists in the same style. We denounce all types of extrajudicial killing.’

Referring to the killings of some ruling party men over the last three days, he said criminal activities, including rape, have marked a sharp rise across the country.  

‘Ruling party MP Bodi has intensified his criminal activities, including Yaba peddling, in his area. Even government officials are being roughed up by him. So, will it be a solution to kill Bodi in crossfire? Surely not… we think crossfire can't be any tool to maintain law and order.’

He condemned the killings of the ruling party men in crossfire and said their party is always against extrajudicial killings, no matter who falls victim to it.

‘In a reaction to the killing of ruling party activists in crossfire, Chhatra League said it can't be accepted. Lawmaker Fazle Noor Taposh also said it can't be continued, but they remain silent when BNP men are killed in the same manner.

Road and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader said action has started. By this remark the minister apparently recognised that the government is carrying out crossfire though they have long been denying it,’ Ripon said.

The BNP leader said there will be no necessity to carry out extrajudicial killings to maintain the law and order if the government resolves the political crisis created through the 5-January 'lopsided' election.

He also renewed his party's demand for holding a fresh inclusive election to restore stability and peace in the country.

‘Now the entire society has turned imbalanced as there is no democracy, the rule of law and accountability in the country. We think if the current political crisis can be resolved and the freedom of expression and the media can be ensured, peace and stability can easily be restored without resorting to crossfire,’ Ripon observed.