Ruling BNP lawmaker of Kansat Prof Shajahan Mia has alleged that the opposition Awami League (AL) is patronising the agitating local people for political gain, terming the ongoing demonstration 'criminal activities.'

"There is no movement for power supply at Kansat now," Shajahan told The Daily Star

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yesterday over telephone about the present situation in the area adding "they (agitating people) are carrying out criminal activities with the help of Awami League their atrocities are like those of Chengis Khan."

Shajahan, who has been blamed for the power crisis in his constituency, defended the police action to put down the movement saying, "they (law enforcers) came under attack and lobbed tear gas to disperse the mob they have not gone to the extremes."

Referring to the April 6 counter programme by the local BNP in Kansat, the lawmaker claimed that it was not aimed at resisting the agitating people under the banner of Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Parishad (PBUSP). "Our programme was for peace, but the sangram parishad activists attacked us," he said.

The counter programme of BNP triggered fresh violence that killed four people on that day.

On April 11, five people were killed when police went on a rampage in the villages of Shibganj upazila. The acting Chapai-nawabganj Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ferdous Alam defended the police firing on villagers saying that the police went into action as the mob hurled bombs at them in which alaw enforcer wasinjured.

The BNPlawmaker claimed that he is trying to quell the agitation. "I don't want any more clash," he said adding, "I am ready to sit with the sangram parishad at any time."