Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has urged the people to remain careful at the highest level and follow health safety guidelines by avoiding crowd in view of the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Covid-19 situation came under control to some extent because of the government’s all-out efforts. But it may go beyond control if there is mad rush during the return journey of Eid home-goers to their workplaces,” he said on Saturday.
“So everyone will have to remain alert at the highest level,” said Quader while addressing a press conference from his official residence in Dhaka on Saturday.
Quader, also the ruling Awami League’s general secretary, brushed off BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir’s allegations that BNP leaders were unable to celebrate Eid over the past decade as they were being killed and made accused in false cases.
Addressing Fakhrul, he questioned: “Did you [BNP] forget the incidents of carrying out steamroller of repression on Awami League leaders and activists when you assumed power in 2001?”
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During the BNP’s regime, Awami League men could not go home, he said, adding that they could not even get the scope to attend and perform the last rites after the death of their parents.
Quader also said that party leaders and activists were even arrested at the time when they were offering Eid prayers.
“I want to know from BNP leaders how they did they do something cruel and inhuman,” he said, adding the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina did not set up an instance that led to the recurrence of repression that was carried out during BNP tenure.
During Saturday’s briefing, Quader also announced the party’s programs to be celebrated on the occasion of the homecoming day of Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
As part of the program, Awami League’s information and research affairs sub-committee will arrange an exhibition on information and press clipping on May 16 and 17.
The inaugural ceremony will be held on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road No 32 at 11am on Sunday.
Awami League Dhaka North unit will arrange a discussion at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue at 11am on Monday while the party’s Dhaka South unit will arrange a doa mahfil (prayers) and discussion at Mahanagar Natyamancha at 3pm same day.
Special prayers will be offered at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas marking the day.
