BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Sunday demanded proper investigations and visible punishment for those involved in recent killings and arson and violent attacks at different parts of the country.

“A series of secret attacks and killings have created fear and serious questions in people’s minds, which is alarming for the state,” he said while talking to reporters after visiting a burn patient from Lakshmipur at the Burn Institute in the capital this afternoon.

Referring to the killing of Osman Hadi and other targeted attacks nationwide, he said, “People want to see visible punishment for such crimes. They want justice.”

The BNP leader said it is the responsibility of the government to identify the real offenders through proper investigations. “If there is a lack in this process, people will think differently and become afraid.”

The BNP leader said people were also questioning whether there was a bigger conspiracy behind the attacks.

“This conspiracy could be linked to the election, or intended to create confusion in many ways. There are even concerns whether any foreign power or their followers at home are trying to destabilise the country,” he pointed out.

About the government’s role, Rizvi said, “This government is supported by the people. As a democratically supported government, people expect them to judge the situation carefully and take strong action against the criminals. This is what the nation wants.”

BNP Joint Secretary General Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, its Health Affairs Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam and other senior BNP leaders were present at the hospital.