Washington, D.C (BBN)-Deploring the ongoing violence and killing in Bangladesh, the US urged all political parties to refrain from violence.
The US also urged the Bangladesh government to create an atmosphere so that the political arena remains peaceful and smooth.
Marie Harf, the spokesperson of the US State Department, came with the condemnation and expectation when recent political turmoil took the lives of 54 people in Bangladesh.
“We call on the government to provide the necessary space for peaceful political activity, and for all parties to instruct their members to refrain from violence,” Harf said in a press statement published on February 5.
The US said it did not find any ground so that such violent political atmosphere prevails in the country saying, “There is simply no justification for such actions in a democratic Bangladesh.”
“The United States is gravely concerned by the ongoing unrest and violence in Bangladesh,” the statement pinpointed.
The US statement also deplore the unconscionable attacks including bus burnings, throwing incendiary devices, and train derailments that have killed and wounded innocent victims.
So far, 54 people mostly innocent were killed and several hundred including law enforcers injured in the non-stop blockade of roads and waterways that brewed from January 5 centring demand of a fresh national election.
Hundreds of vehicles were also torched and vandalised during the political turmoil which is hampering the economy of the country severely.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence for political objectives,” she said.
“All Bangladeshis must have the right and the ability to express their views peacefully,” the statement added.
The BNP-led 20-party alliance has been enforcing the non-stop blockade along with frequent general strike since January 5 when the law enforcers barred Khaleda Zia, the BNP chief and a former premier of the country to came out of her Gulshan party office to join an anti-government rally.
Khaleda has been staying in her Gulshan office since January 3.
The alliance is also protesting the confinement of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at her party Gulshan office and arrest of party leaders and activists.
Earlier on January 30, the government severed the power supply, cable television, telephone and internet connections and jammed mobile network to Khaleda’s Gulshan office.
More than 19 hours after severing the electricity service to Gulshan office, the Bangladesh government restored it Saturday.
Meanwhile, in the face of 20-party-sponsored general strike, the government two times deferred the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and its equivalent examinations.
The SSC examinations are scheduled to begin from February 2 but instead the exams began on February 6, on a weekend.
BNP said its party chairperson was “confined” but the government denied the allegation though it had put additional law enforcers and sand-laden trucks in front of Khaleda’s office.
The government however removed the security barriers after 16 days on January 19.
BBN/ANS/AD-6Feb15-8:30am (BST)