Take special measures to ensure rule of law: Raushon to PM

Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad has urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to take "special measures" to improve Bangladesh's law and order.

She talked about an array of issues in an unscheduled discussion in Parliament on Monday in presence of Hasina.

"Law and order is deteriorating. The prime minister must take special steps to ensure that the rule of law is established," she said.

The former First Lady talked about the Islamic Front leader Nurul Islam Farooqi's murder.

She urged the government to punish the perpetrators and observed such killings would continue in the absence of rule of law.

The Jatiya Party Presidium member was of the view that the law and order was suddenly worsening.

"The Supreme Court mosque's 'Khatib' (Farooqi) has been murdered at his home. Three more were killed the following day.

"Where would the people go if such incidents [of killing] take place at home?

"Bodies are recovered from homes, ditches. It is as if there are no trials for murders and enforced disappearances," the Opposition Leader said.

Islamic Front leader Farooqi, also a TV show host, was slaughtered at his Rajabazar residence on Aug 27. A day later, miscreants shot dead three people at a Moghbazar house in Dhaka.

State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday claimed the situation was "normal" despite the two back-to-back killing incidents.

Raushon said, "These incidents will continue to recur in the absence of good governance and respect for law."

Although floods hit Bangladesh every year, she felt this year's floods were "a little more" than usual.

She pointed out that 1.5 million people in 15 districts had become homeless in the floods and the government relief was inadequate, forcing many to live without food and drinking water.

The Opposition Leader suggested the prime minister engage the army in government efforts for relief and rehabilitation.

During Monday's unscheduled discussion, the sinking of passenger ferry Pinak-6 on Aug 4 also came up.

"There's no end to the accidents on waterways. They continue to occur after the Eid.

"At least 500 committees were formed to investigate river accidents since independence. Only three of them had submitted their report.

"These accidents recur as they are not looked into with importance," she said.

Raushon Ershad asked, "Why don't we take precautions as we are a riverine country?"

She urged the government to hold talks over the broadcast policy with the stakeholders.

"You (the government) are going to formulate a broadcast policy. It (the policy) will get acceptability if it's done through discussions," she said.

The Opposition Leader said the arrest of a fake army officer in Parliament on Aug 12 had put the security of the MPs in jeopardy.

The Jatiya Party leader demanded that her electoral constituency Mymensingh be declared a division.

"Mymensingh must be made a division. There's no other way," she told the prime minister.

At that time, State Minister for Labour Mujibul Haq Chunnu talked about including Kishoreganj.

The Opposition Leader snapped, "Won't include Kishoreganj.

"Sherpur, Jamalpur, Netrokona, and Mymensingh [will be in the division]. Such a big district has not been declared a division while small districts have been.

"You (Hasina) must do it (declare Mymensingh a division),” she implored.