Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), criticized the police response to the rally that the Ganatantra Mancha organized on Wednesday.

He made the comments in a statement denouncing the police's use of force against Ganatantra Mancha leader and Ganasanghati Andolan main coordinator Zonayed Saki, as well as other leaders and activists, during a Wednesday procession toward the Secretariat.

"The authoritarian Awami League administration is repressing the opposition parties with more ferocity and cruelty following the January 7 sham election, undermining the people's freedom to vote and democratic rights.

"Today, another brutal manifestation took place through the barbaric attack of police on a peaceful protest procession of Ganatantra Mancha, injuring more than 50 leaders and activists including the Mancha leader Zonayed Saki, and arresting a leader from the spot," stated the head of the BNP.

He went on, "I demand the immediate, unconditional release of those who have been arrested and I strongly condemn the police brutality and protest against it."

"Even though we live in a sovereign nation, we are currently subject to the terrifying despotism of an illegitimate administration. Ordinary people are powerless to escape the oppression of police enforcement.

"However, we believe that the illegal Awami League Government will face swift retribution from the power of the people," he stated.

Fakhrul wished Zonayed Saki and the other wounded leaders and activists a speedy recovery.

A Ganatantra Mancha demonstration against the price increase, bank "looting," and money laundering was broken up earlier on Wednesday by police using batons.

Saki was among the several leaders and activists of Ganasanghati Andolan who suffered injuries during the police attack.

End//voice7news.tv