Veteran Bangladeshi actor Ilias Kanchan, founder of road safety organization Nirapad Sharak Chai, broke into tears while requesting student protesters to return home. He said this on Monday’s press conference at Nirapad Sharak Chai’s headquarters in Segunbagicha, Dhaka.
He also said that he thinks different groups with rumours and fake news have entered the ongoing student movement demanding safer roads .
He said: “Already a lot of students have returned home. Some of them are still on the streets. I am concerned about your lives. All of you should return home for the sake of your own lives.”
He also said if the demands are not met they will again take to the streets and protest.
Ilias Kanchan also denounced the newly passed Road Transportation Act by the cabinet on Monday.
He said: “None of our recommendations were added in the law.”
“It should have been Road Transport and Road Safety Act instead of just Road Transport Act,” he added.
He also stated: “The act describes a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment but doesn't state any minimum penalty.”
The act says that a life sentence will take place only if murder is proven by investigation under act number 302. The general people may be deprived of justice because of this act. Also the ‘driver’ isn't always the guilty party. Sometimes it's the passenger, sometimes it's the passersby.”
“So the act should change the term ’driver’ into ‘responsible party.’”
Previously, the actor and other members of his organization, Nirapad Sharak Chai, formed a human chain in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday around 11am, supporting the ongoing student protest demanding safer roads.
