Dhaka: Bangladesh Nationalist Party senior leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy on Thursdays aired doubt whether the government will be able to ensure punishment to the attacker of Sylhet college student Khadiza Akter.  

Speaking at a human chain programme, he also said all those involved in such acts, and killing and enforced disappearances will be tried if BNP returns to power.

BNP’s women wing Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal arranged the programme in front of National Press Club protesting the attack on Khadiza.

On Monday, Khadiza, 23, a student of Sylhet Govt Women’s College, was stabbed allegedly by Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) unit BCL leader Badrul Alam on her way home from college following the refusal of his proposal for having an affair with him.

Hearing the victim’s screams, locals rescued Khadiza and caught Badrul from the spot and handed him over to police after giving him a good thrashing. The victim was initially taken to Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital and then moved to Square Hospital in the city as her condition deteriorated.

Mentioning that the government has failed to ensure the trial of journalist couple Sagar-Runi and Comilla college girl Sohagi Jahan Tonu, Gayeshwar said Khadiza’s incident may go under the carpet like the previous ones.

He voiced concern that the incidents of repression on women and their rape are growing under the current government though the Prime Minister, the Opposition Leader and the Speaker are women.

Another BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said ruling party men are indulging in criminal activities as they are going unpunished. ‘This situation needs to be changed.’

He urged the mass media to play an active role in ensuring punishment to Khadiza’s attacker.

Mohila Dal general secretary Sultana Ahmed said only arrest of Badrul is not enough for brutally injuring Khadiza with a machete. ‘Exemplary punishment must be ensured to him through a speedy trial.’