The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has dismissed as misleading the social media criticism accusing the government of bias for deploying a water-spraying vehicle at a rally led by the National Citizen Party (NCP) in front of the InterContinental Hotel in the capital.
In a press release issued on Friday, DNCC Administrator Mohammad Ejaz clarified that the water-spraying vehicle was deployed purely for public health reasons, in response to the ongoing heatwave in Dhaka.
He stated: “Due to the extreme heat over the past several days, DNCC has been deploying water spray vehicles in any area experiencing large gatherings — not just rallies but also busy markets and terminal areas — to reduce heat stress on people.”
Ejaz further noted that similar measures were taken when BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia recently returned to the country, and water-spraying vehicles were used near crowds waiting to receive her.
The DNCC administrator also mentioned that the same vehicle was deployed during recent pro-Palestine rallies.
“Our intention is solely to protect citizens from the adverse effects of the heatwave. Whether the gathering is political or non-political is irrelevant to the city corporation,” he added.
