Dhaka: Nagorik Oikya convener Mahmudur Rahman Mann on Tuesday compared the government with ‘monster’ for what he said its involvement in the incidents of ‘killing and enforced disappearance’.

Speaking at a programme on enforced disappearance, he also urged people to defeat the ruling coalition in the next election to get rid of repression and misrule, reports the UNB.

‘Mayer Dak’, a platform of relatives of the victims of the enforced disappearance, arranged the programme at the Jatiya Press Club.

Some relatives of the enforced disappearance victims burst into tears at the programme while sharing their agonies of not getting back their near and dear ones.

Pointing at the aggrieved relatives, Manna said, ‘Your tears have no value to those who are in power as they don’t have any sense of responsibility and compassion. They’re like man-eaters. As the monster eats up people, this government has eaten up people.’

‘So, we need to wage a struggle to get rid of them (govt). We want to defeat them through votes. Go back to your respective areas with the photos of your missing relatives and banners and placards and urge people to give the government a fitting reply through the election,’ he added.

Dhaka University’s law department teacher Dr Asif Nazrul said enforced disappearance is a serious crime, and deadlier than killing.

As per the international laws, he said when the huge incidents of enforced disappearance take place in a planned way, it can be considered as crime against humanity.

The DU teacher said many opposition party leaders and activists were subjected to enforced disappearance in Bangladesh in a planned way. ‘So, I think the family members of the enforced disappearance can go to the international court if they don’t get justice in the country.’

Later, at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club, Manna alleged that people’s doubt over holding a credible national is getting stronger gradually due to the Election Commission and the government’s negative attitude.

He said the election atmosphere is worsening daily, even after the announcement of the election schedule. ‘People are in fear whether the government is trying to retain power through holding a stage-managed election.’

Criticising the law enforcers for arresting and harassing opposition leaders and activists in ‘false’ cases, he urged the government to stop it immediately.

He also warned that the police and civil administration will have to shoulder all the responsibilities if the national election is hindered due to their biased role.