Raising alarm at the growing incidents of rape in the country, Jatiya Oikyafront convener Dr Kamal Hossain today urged people to forge a united movement to protect women's rights and establish the rule of law.

"Unwanted incidents are taking place in the country one after another. The rape of women has turned epidemic. The deterioration in law and order is evident here," he said while talking to reporters after a meeting of the alliance at his Motijheel chamber.

Dr Kamal, also Ganofourm president, further said, "We think the movement has to be strengthened and we've to take to the street actively so that people's rights are protected and the rule of law is established. It's now essential."

Oikyafront leader ASM Abdur Rob said they will hold a mass gathering at Shahbagh intersection in the city on April 30 in protest against the repression of women and rape.

 

Gono Forum, led by Dr Kamal Hossain, yesterday demanded that steps be taken to free the transport sector from political influence and laws be properly enforced to restore discipline in the sector.

The party came up with the demand at a press conference at Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.

“Political influence not only helps corruption spread but also make people indifferent to law. Ultimately, the rule of law is hampered. It is applicable for all sectors, including transport,” said Dr Kamal Hossain.

The main reason behind the prevailing anarchy in the transport sector is lack of good governance, said the eminent jurist. “It's necessary to ensure impartial and effective enforcement of laws to ensure good governance.”

Dr Kamal, also the convener of Jatiya Oikyafront, said police must enforce laws so that the goal for which these are framed can be achieved. But if the police are influenced by anybody then they become weaker, and deviate from the rule of law.

Gono Forum will form a human chain in the capital on April 1, to push for its 14-point demand to ensure safe roads, and restoration of discipline in the transport sector.

The programme, which will be held in front of Jatiya Press Club, is also meant for registering the party's protest against the government's move to hike gas tariffs.

Gono Forum general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu announced the programme at the press conference.

“We took to the streets demanding safe roads earlier when students waged a movement to this end. We're also going to form a human chain from 3pm to 5pm in front of Jatiya Press Club on April 1 with the same demand in line with the students and youths,” he said.

Through the programme, Montu said, they will also protest the fresh proposal for raising gas tariffs.

He urged the people of all walks of life, including students, to participate in the programme.

The party also demanded security on the roads in front of public and private hospitals, installation of footbridges and speed-breakers on roads in front of educational institutions, a stop to extortion in the transport sector, creating a fund supervised by a regulatory body for victims of road accidents, and taking suggestions from experts and giving priority to people's interests in constructing roads and bridges and working out transport strategies.

Two MPs-elect from the Gonoforum will not be joining parliament, the party has decided.

Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain, also a top leader of the Jatiya Oikyafront, made the announcement while talking to reporters at his Motijheel chamber yesterday, following a meeting of the opposition alliance's steering committee.

"We've clearly conveyed to them [the two MPs] our party's decision of not joining parliament, and they won't do it," he said.

The two MPs-elect -- Sultan Mohammad Mansur (Moulvibazar-2) and Mokabbir Khan (Sylhet-2) -- have reportedly expressed their desire to join parliament, going against the alliance's decision.

The BNP, the Gonoforum and some other parties joined the December 30 polls under the banner of the Oikyafront. The BNP bagged six seats while the Gonoforum two. However, the alliance rejected the polls, alleging "massive irregularities". They also demanded a fresh election.

Meanwhile, the Oikyafront yesterday announced a two-day programme, including a demonstration wearing black badges and holding a public hearing, protesting what it called "vote robbery" in the election.

The alliance's spokesperson, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, announced the programme after the meeting.

"Today's Oikyafront steering committee meeting decided to hold a demonstration wearing black badges in front of the Jatiya Press Club on February 6," he said.

Besides this, he said, their alliance would hold a public hearing, with the participation of the Oikyafront candidates and the “victimised voters”, on February 24.

Fakhrul said they would later announce the names of the venues.

He said their alliance deferred its national dialogue, which was scheduled for February 6.

On January 17, the Oikyafront announced that it would hold a national dialogue in the capital demanding fresh polls after rejecting the 11th parliamentary election results.

Apart from Fakhrul, JSD President ASM Abdur Rob, General Secretary Abdul Malek Ratan, Gono Forum Executive President Subrata Chowdhury, Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Krishak Sramik Janata League General Secretary Iqbal Siddiqui and Gonoshasthya Kendra Founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury, among others, joined the meeting chaired by Dr Kamal.