FROM THE RALLY (JOYPURHAT): Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Sunday demanded to disband Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) as the elite force is involved in many misdeeds.

The former prime minster of the country came up with the plea while delivering an hour-long speech at the party’s rally in local Ramdeo Government Bazla School ground of the district in the afternoon.

Khaleda said, “We formed RAB to fight against the terrorism and militants and competence officers had been attached to RAB considering their skills and proficiencies.”

She also claimed: “But, Awami League has destroyed the RAB. So, it has to be disbanded. RAB killed the (seven) people of Narayanganj.”

RAB, police and Awami League men together killed people in Lakshmipur, Joypurhat, Nilphamari and Satkhira, claimed Khaleda.

She said, “The government is tarnishing the image of RAB by using it for their political motives. For this reason, people are demanding to disband RAB and this cannot be continued at all.”

She also announced that her party would ‘wage movement after Eid-ul-Fitre’ to oust the government.

The rally began at 2:30pm there and Khaleda’s caravan arrived at the playground at 3:25pm, which left Bogra Circuit House at 2:00pm.

District president of BNP Mojahar Ali presided over the rally where the local leaders gave their speeches.

Earlier, Khaleda joined a rally in the Circuit House at 1:40pm where she handed over a check of Tk 1 lakh to Abdur Razzak, father of slain Jubo Dal leader Yusuf Ali Mondol, who was killed in political violence on December 26, 2013.

BDST: 1815 HRS, JUN 22, 2014