When will peace return? Asks MP in parliament

An independent lawmaker has sought to know in parliament about the possible return of normalcy in the country.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 2 March 2015, 02:23 PM
Updated : 2 March 2015, 02:23 PM

MP Rustom Ali Farazi also demanded an official statement from the State Minister for Home Affairs, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, on violence during blockades and shutdowns.

He said that other MPs and ministers had spoken on the issue at length in the house but it was the state minister’s duty to do so.

“He took oath. He will have to say when people will get peace and the steps he had taken.”

The MP added that bombing, arson and destruction of vehicles had resumed after a brief lull.

Farazi went on to blast the state minister: “You have police protection but the general people, us, we don’t. A decision has to be taken in the house on this issue.”

A number of vehicles were torched and vandalised on Monday in capital Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh.

The 20-Party alliance led by the BNP is enforcing an indefinite blockade since Jan 5, demanding an interim election under a non-partisan government.

Shutdowns were sporadic at first but became a regular weekday affair since the beginning of February.

The alliance has been unrelenting on its demand, while the ruling Awami League has refused to buckle under ‘unconstitutional’ pressure, leading to a political faceoff.