This Atmosphere of Peace and Relief Must Not Be Disrupted

Soon after Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman went to the United States late last month to join the UN General Assembly, several big cases of land grabbing and violence took place in Dhaka. Proof showed that some party leaders and workers were involved. A female BNP MP on a reserved seat was also linked to these acts. The cases shook the whole country.

A few days ago, several hundred people attacked the MCH FP Center in Radda, Mirpur 1, which gives mother and child health care. They broke it down and tried to take it over. People said the female MP and her followers were involved. A day later, over a hundred people attacked an office built on 35 katha of land in the Satmasjid Housing area of Mohammadpur. They broke it up and tried to take the land.

Local BNP leaders and workers were accused in this case too. A dispute over land ownership at ECB Chattar led to an attack on the studio of content creator Mr. Salman Muqtadir. He accused BNP people of extortion. A few days ago at night, a leader expelled from Jubo Dal attacked a medicine trader in Bangla Motor. In Mirpur, hawkers attacked law enforcers when Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) was clearing illegally held footpaths.

The DNCC administrator then came in person, controlled the situation and cleared the footpaths. These cases came one after another and spread fear and worry among people. But Mr. Tarique Rahman took news of each case himself and ordered strict action against those responsible. Action has been taken, and is still being taken, as he ordered.

The BNP government won two thirds of the seats and came to power. Within six or seven months, opposition parties and the banned Awami League, along with some other groups, began plots to make the government unstable. Extortion and land grabbing by some BNP leaders and workers made things worse. It seems they do not want the government to settle down.

The government is taking one successful step after another to rise from a deep economic crisis. These bad acts now disturb that effort. The gains of the government are becoming a show. In this situation, the Prime Minister took a very strict stand to bring relief to the public. After he returned from the United States, he at once ordered the female MP to resign from parliament over the attack on the MCH FP Center.

Police also arrested those involved in the other cases. It is easy to see that the Prime Minister is strict against anyone involved in crime. He does not look at how big a leader someone is in the party. By ordering the female MP to resign, he sent this message. He made it clear that party leaders and workers involved in extortion, land grabbing and crime will get no relief.

In the capital, city people have no chance to walk in peace and safety. For decades, hawkers, shops and structures have held the footpaths illegally. Clearing footpaths has been a cat and mouse game. As soon as one side is cleared, another side is taken over. Many people show kindness for hawkers who are evicted. They forget that footpaths are built for people to walk safely, not for illegal holding or business.

Once, the government set up a Holiday Market at fixed places two days a week for evicted hawkers. They did not sit there. They kept doing business on the footpaths. This footpath business gives a chance for extortion. An English daily reported yesterday that law enforcers have found 297 clear spots of footpath extortion. About 300 extortionists are linked to them.

It is not right to show kindness for hawkers on one side and criticise extortion on the other. There is no other way than clearing the footpaths, for the public good and the safe movement of city people. Illegal holders cannot keep city people locked in their homes by blocking footpaths. The walking paths must be freed for them.

This will help keep people healthy. It will also widen the narrow roads and cut much of the traffic jam in the city. If footpaths are clear, people can walk a long way. DNCC and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have taken steps to free the footpaths of the capital. They must carry them out, whatever the obstacles. Letting illegal holding continue can never be accepted.

The present government came to power with a huge mandate from the people. So it must work for the interest and welfare of the people. To keep law and order and ensure public safety, it must have zero tolerance for crime. Land grabbers, extortionists, criminals and wrongdoers must face merciless action, whatever their party or influence.

The government must remember that land grabbers and extortionists did not bring it to power. Ordinary people did. So it must firmly stop the criminals who spoil their comfort and peace. There is no doubt that the strict action against the recent crimes has brought relief to the public. From social media to every other place, people are warmly praising this step. They are praising Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman. The government must keep this praise.

Home Minister Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed gave a clear message to criminals. He said anyone involved in extortion, terror acts, drugs, gambling or any other crime will get no relief, whatever their party identity. The newly formed Special Response Battalion (SRB) said its aim is to improve the lives of people and ensure a fearless, safe and comfortable setting. It said its stand against crime and extortion is very strict and without compromise. It said it will not look at the political or social identity of any criminal.

The strict mood of the Home Minister and law enforcers against all crime and the much talked about extortion will raise the sense of relief and safety among people. This is already seen among them. We hope the government will take an even stricter stand to protect this setting of public safety and relief. This setting must not be spoiled in any way.