On Friday, the press secretary of the Chief Adviser, Shafiqul Alam, stated that the year 2013 was a year of forced disappearances and murders for the Awami League, aimed at ensuring a smooth election in 2014. He said that the exact number of deaths during Hefazat’s rally at Shapla Chattar is still unknown. He added that both the government and Hefazat should investigate the facts surrounding the injured and deceased. Shafiqul Alam further accused the Awami League of maintaining power through a culture of fear, created by politics of murder. He recalled his journalistic experience during the violent night, mentioning that many bullet-riddled bodies were found in Barakah, Islami Hospital, and Siddhirganj hospitals, but the government refused to acknowledge them.