Rally at Shaheed Minar for Road Safety, Resignation of Abul
Call to remove currupt ministers
Eminent writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud speaks at a rally on the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city yesterday while,inset, Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital launches ' Virtual blood bank' in memory of Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munier.Photo: STAR
Civil society leaders and road safety activists yesterday demanded resignation of all corrupt ministers and investigation into the irregularities in different government offices. They made the call at a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar premises as part of their ongoing movement for a set of demands including road safety and removal of Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain for his failure to improve the country's shattered communications system. Many of them criticised the shipping minister for his recent remark that drivers should be given licence without a written test. “We are not against the government. We are against its irregularities, mismanagement and inefficient persons. It is a non-political and non-violent movement and we want to ensure people's rights through it,” said eminent writer and columnist Syed Abul Maksud, who has been leading the movement. Communications is a vital sector in a country and the state's economical development largely depends on it. So, the movement is against the irregularities lies in this sector, said Maksud while addressing the rally attended by the members and leaders of different socio-political and cultural organisations. Noted journalist Kamal Lohani said although the communications minister claims that the condition of roads across the country is good but people know the reality. “Today, people have raised their voices against irregularities and it will certainly spread out across the country,” he said. Actress Rokeya Prachi, who moderated the rally, said the movement will continue until their demands are met. The other demands were stopping issuance of illegal driving licence, ensuring discipline in mass transport system, enacting tougher law to curb road accident, proper training for drivers and ensuring accountability in the administration. The movement began on August 24 following the demise of filmmaker Tareque Masud and journalist Mishuk Munier in a road accident on August 13. Mujahidul Islam Selim, Robaet Ferdous, Ruhin Hossain Prince, Khalekuzzaman, Asif Munier, engineer Enamul Haque, Sagor Lohani, Bhaskar Rasa, Manabendra Dev, among others, were present in the rally. Meanwhile, Japan Bangladesh Friendship Hospital yesterday began a 'virtual blood bank' activity at the Central Shaheed Minar premises marking one month after Tareque Masud and Mishuk Munier's death.
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