Dhaka, July 13 -- BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has strongly criticised the government for its failure to prevent a rise in violent mob attacks, calling for an immediate and comprehensive crackdown.

"Why is the government allowing these brutalities to continue?" he asked, referring to the recent public lynching of scrap trader Lal Chand, also known as Sohag, near Mitford Hospital in Dhaka.

Tarique made the remarks on Saturday while virtually addressing a views-exchange meeting at a hotel in Gulshan, organised by Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal to mark the first anniversary of the July-August mass uprising.

The event was attended by families of those killed or injured during the protests.

He cited the widely circulated CCTV footage of ...