Remove Abul, Shajahan or face protest on Eid Day, demand eminent citizens
Rush of shoppers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr and mismanagement by the Traffic Division causes traffic congestion almost throughout the day in the city's Nayapaltan yesterday. Photo: STAR
Citizens of different strata at a rally in the city yesterday demanded the removal of Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain for his failure to maintain the country's shattered communications system, which contributes to thousands of deaths every year on roads and highways. Some other speakers at the rally also demanded resignation of Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan. Teachers, students, journalists, lawyers, and development activists attended the rally at Central Shaheed Minar amid rain, they threatened with a sit-in at the same venue on Eid Day if the prime minister does not remove the ministers by August 30. The rally held under the banner of Students, Teachers and Professionals was organised marking the deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Tareque Masud and ATN News chief executive officer Ashfaque Munier Mishuk and three others in the August 13 road accident in Manikganj. Pointing out the rampant corruption in the road construction and repairing process, Prof Anu Muhammad said the ministry serves the interests of the contractors, not the people. He also alleged that Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) identified 216 risky points on highways across the country 10 years back, but the authorities have not addressed the problems. The prime minister herself will be responsible for the killings on roads if she does not remove the ministers like Abul Hossain and Shajahan Khan, he said. Prof Anu said, "We demand natural death. Not only hunger strike, we will go for tougher movement against irregularities". "The government must remove the communications minister and take actions against others responsible for road safety and management," said columnist Syed Abul Maksud, presiding over the rally. He also vowed to take forward a movement until corruption in the communications sector ends. Dr Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, said the state cannot avoid the responsibility of traffic deaths. The inefficient ministers have to resign for the sake of democracy, otherwise they should be removed, he said. Dr Mizanur said the ministers like those in charge of shipping and communications ministries are also creating gaps between the people and the prime minister, and that is very dangerous for the country. Barrister Sara Hossain demanded immediate amendments to the laws related to road and vehicular management. Asif Munier, younger brother of Mishuk Munier, stressed role of all people alongside the government for safety on roads. A sustainable movement is imperative for a change, he said. Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque demanded revamping the rail and waterways to strengthen the country's communications network. Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder and freedom fighter Tarik Ali also spoke at the rally moderated by Dhaka University Associate Prof Robaet Ferdous.
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