STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Opposition Chief Whip in the parliament and National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam yesterday said people would take the responsibility of protecting the country’s borders if the government fails to ensure national security.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion and documentary screening titled “Shapla Massacre: A Decade of Impunity”, organised by National Ulama Alliance, at the Institution of Diploma Engineers in Dhaka’s Kakrail.

Nahid said the country is once again witnessing killings along the frontiers and the erection of new barbed wire fences.

He said, “Friendship is impossible if a country continues killing citizens of a neighbour and fencing the border,” adding that genuine ties cannot be built behind barbed wire.

Nahid expressed hope that people of the neighbouring country will one day remove the fences to establish genuine relations with Bangladeshi people.

He also said protecting Bangladesh’s borders and securing the country’s fair share of water from transboundary rivers were fundamental responsibilities of the state.

Nahid warned that propaganda could be used to portray Muslims in Bangladesh as oppressors of Hindus in order to justify violence elsewhere.

Referring to the 2013 Shapla Chattar crackdown, Nahid said if those responsible for it were brought to justice, the July

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