Political activities and traffic jam
Last Friday evening as I was taking a stroll near GEC crossing, the nerve-centre of Chittagong town, I came across a number of buses loaded with political workers. Though it was a holiday the presence of so many buses created a traffic congestion in that area. Those who sat on the roof of those buses were chanting slogans in chorus, thereby causing noise pollution. The event was occasioned by the arrival of the chairperson of a major political party.
The return of political activities is welcome as it foreshadows the coming back of democracy. But in no way should criminal activities--arson, damage of public and private property and so on-- pass for political activities. The major parties should rid their folds of miscreants and criminals.
What the common people want is peace. Surely, they don't want to live in a society where a criminal goes scot-free, courtesy of his political connections.
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This week we have witnessed several election campaigns. They are marking the commencement of the parliamentary election. However, to me, they mean long traffic jams.
I do not mean that traffic jams are some rare events in Dhaka. However, political rallies and processions will make conditions worse.
On Nov 6, when AL president Sheikh Hasina returned home and thousands of party workers jammed streets, I had to walk miles to reach my destination. This meant I had to walk along the pavements, where some motorbikers and rickshaw pullers felt free to ride on.
I hope we will get some respite from campaigners in the next two weeks. But I dread how worse traffic conditions would get after Nov 27.
Upoma Dutta, Shatmoshjid Road, Mohammadpur, Dhaka
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