Over 1,600 road blockades staged since interim govt took charge: Home adviser
Everyone has the right to protest and raise demands, but it should not come at the expense of ordinary people, he says
Highlights:
- Blockades caused severe traffic congestion and public suffering in Dhaka and surrounding areas
- Govt urged protesters to use Suhrawardy Udyan or designated grounds to avoid disrupting public life
- Right to protest must not come at the expense of ordinary people, he says
- Fairness of upcoming polls depends on political parties' participation
- Jahangir calls for unity among parties
Some 123 organisations staged road blockades 1,604 times since the interim government assumed office after the ouster of Awami League government last year, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) said today (31 August).
"Since the interim government took charge, 1,604 blockades have been enforced on the roads of Dhaka and surrounding areas by 123 organisations. These blockades created traffic congestion and public misery," the adviser told reporters after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Everyone has the right to protest and raise demands, but it should not come at the expense of ordinary people"
The adviser said the ministry had previously requested that political rallies and protests be held at Suhrawardy Udyan or other designated grounds in the capital to avoid disrupting public life.
"Everyone has the right to protest and raise demands, but it should not come at the expense of ordinary people," he added.
On the upcoming national election, the adviser noted that the fairness, freedom, and safety of the polls would largely depend on the political parties taking part.
"Law enforcement agencies are fully prepared to ensure security and maintain order. But political parties must also ensure free and spontaneous participation of the people," he said.
Expressing hope for a free, peaceful, and festive election, he called for unity among political parties.
"Differences may exist, but the unity forged after the fall of the fascist government must be preserved. To move forward with democracy, parties must rise above narrow interests. If unity fractures, fascist allies could exploit the situation to create chaos and anarchy," he added.
Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam BPM, and other senior officials were present at the briefing.
