BNP lawmaker Harunur Rashid from Chapainawabganj-3 yesterday in parliament demanded that the Speaker forms a parliamentary committee over “ghost” cases.

“The home minister said there is nothing called ghost cases… I request the Speaker to form a parliamentary committee on it,” Harun said participating in the general discussion on the proposed national budget for 2019-20 fiscal.

The BNP lawmaker claimed at least 90,000 cases were filed against BNP leaders and activists in the last 10 years, most of which are false. Some 25 lakh BNP leaders and activists were accused in the cases.

He said BNP men were picked up from their houses and accused in cases on charges of making bombs.

He said BNP secretary general is facing charges in 84 cases, while 84-year old former Speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar, senior BNP leaders Khandkar Mahbub Hossain and Moudud Ahmed are facing charges of making bombs and involvement in sabotage.

The BNP lawmaker claimed some 1,200 people became victims of enforced disappearance in the last 10 years of this government.

“I don’t know whether I will be able to return home after my speech in the parliament. I don’t know if I will face the fates of Ilias Ali or Salauddin Ahmed -- like they were picked up by groups identifying as law enforcement agencies,” Harun said.

“We’ll have to come out from this national crisis,” he added.

JSD MP THRETENS TO RESIGN

Meanwhile, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal executive president Mayeen Uddin Khan Badal threatened of resigning from parliament, if construction work of Kalurghat Bridge in his constituency is not completed within December.

“I have been speaking in the parliament for the last 10 years about the bridge. But there is no headway in this regard. I will go out from the parliament if the construction work is not finished by December,” he said participating in the general discussion.

Badal, who was elected lawmaker from Awami League, also said parliament is not the place of flattering, and lambasted the government for repeatedly increasing of cost of development projects.

LAW AND ORDER BILL PLACED FOR EXTENSION

The Law and Order Disruption (Speedy Trial) (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was placed at Jatiya Sangsad yesterday, for extending its validity till 2024.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal placed the bill, which was sent to the parliamentary standing committee on the respective ministry for further examination.

The committee was asked to submit its report within seven working days.

The duration of the Law and Order Disruption (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002 expired in April 2019. No change has been brought to the content of the proposed law.