Ensure safety of ethnic groups

Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Haque asked the authorities concerned to ensure safety of all, especially ethnic people, during the polls so that they do not feel insecure.

He was addressing a meeting on polls-time human rights as the chief guest at the conference room of the deputy commissioner's (DC) office yesterday.

District level officials, local elite, members of political parties and journalists were present at the meeting. DC Md Matiul Islam Chowdhury was in the chair at the programme arranged by the Human Rights Commission.

Rezaul Haque recalled the situation during the JS polls in 2001 when people of the minority community came under attack.

Every candidate has to get equal rights in the campaigns so that the polls are held in a festive mood, he said, adding that voting right is also a human right.

He urged the law enforcement agencies and administration to take steps to maintain human rights during the polls.

Atul Chandra Das, president of Bangladesh Hindu, Bouddho, Christian Oikyo Parishad, urged the authorities concerned to maintain the security for one month after the elections.

Md Moinul Islam, superintendent of police in Patukahli, Khalilur Rahman Mohon, chairman of  Patuakhali Zila Parishad, Kazi Alomgir Hossain, secretary of district unit Awami League, Dr Shafiqul Islam, mayor of Patualkhali municipality, Motaleb Talukder, chairman of Kalapara upazila parishad, Swapan Banerjee, president of Patuakhali Press Club, Delwar Hossain Dilip, secretary of district unit of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Khemongla, a Rakhine leader, and president of district unit of Communist Party of Bangladesh Motaleb Mollah addressed the meeting.