Cumilla-6 MP criticises road transport minister for recycling AL regime’s rhetoric

Strong words were exchanged in the Parliament today (5 April) as BNP lawmaker Monirul Haque Chowdhury (Cumilla-6) accused Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam of recycling the "bureaucratic rhetoric" of the previous government instead of addressing urgent safety concerns on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

Raising a notice under Section 71 on matters of urgent public importance, Monirul drew the House's attention to what he described as a "death trap" at the intersection of the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and the Cumilla-Noakhali link road, reports UNB.

He criticised the installation of "monstrous" illegal barricades and the lack of underpasses and service lanes at seven key points, including Tomchom Bridge.

The BNP MP expressed deep frustration after the Minister's reply, which focused on long-term plans and budget constraints.

"I am more disappointed by this statement than ever before. The Minister is repeating the same lines used during the Awami League era," Chowdhury said. "I've heard this 'Rabindra Sangeet' (melodious but repetitive talk) many times. Just let us die in peace."

Chowdhury further alleged that the Minister was merely reading from a script prepared by secretaries and those who had "looted money" from past projects. He questioned why 1,500 crore BDT was spent instead of the sanctioned 700 crore BDT, and why promised overpasses from the 2014 era remain non-existent while lives continue to be lost.

In his response, Road Transport Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam defended the government's stance, citing the limitations of inheriting ongoing projects.

He informed the House that the government is currently prioritising public works over land acquisition to keep costs low.

The Minister highlighted a new plan to upgrade the Dhaka-Chattogram highway to 10 lanes.

"Once the 10-lane project is implemented, the Paduar Bazar U-loop will be integrated into a major intersection featuring five underpasses," Alam stated, adding that this would eventually resolve the traffic chaos and accidents in the region.

Regarding the MP's immediate concerns, the Minister noted that he had already dispatched the Secretary and relevant officials to the site to take "visible steps" to mitigate the danger.

When Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad questioned whether these measures would fully solve the lawmaker's grievances, the Minister admitted, "It will be a partial solution for now."

The session took a brief cinematic turn when an unidentified MP was heard shouting "Bagher Baccha" (Son of a Tiger) without a microphone, praising Monirul Haque Chowdhury's fiery criticism.

Chowdhury concluded by demanding compensation for the families of those who have died at the site since 2014, slamming the "barricades" that he claimed were erected during the controversial elections of the past decade.

Govt remains committed to ensuring justice for enforced disappearance victims: Law Minister

 Meanwhile, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman yesterday assured the Parliament that the government remains committed to ensuring justice for victims of enforced disappearances. 

He explained that the repeal to the concerned ordinance was recommended to avoid legal conflicts and ensure more stringent punishments, reports BSS.

The Law Minister pointed out that the definition of disappearance has already been integrated into the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act, which carries penalties as severe as life imprisonment or death. 

In contrast, the current ordinance provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Regarding the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance, the Minister stated that certain time limits for investigations within the current framework could lead to further harassment of victims. 

He assured the House that updated, more comprehensive bills would be introduced during the current or subsequent session after consultations with stakeholders, including survivors like Barrister Arman.

Minister Asaduzzaman emphasised that there is no intention to let perpetrators escape through legal loopholes, citing the high-profile disappearance cases of individuals like incumbent Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed as evidence of the gravity with which the government views these crimes.

Earlier, standing on a point of order, emotion-choked Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, a Member of Parliament for the Dhaka-14 constituency and a survivor of enforced disappearance, expressed concern in the Parliament over a special committee's recommendation to lapse an Ordnance related with the enforced disappearance.

Bin Quasem, also known as Barrister Arman, questioned how a government led by victims of torture could suggest repealing a law designed to prevent such atrocities. 

He urged the House to approve and enact the ordinance first, suggesting that any necessary amendments could be made later.