SNS condemns 'reactionary' remarks by AL MP

Women's rights leaders have blamed the government for the deterioration of the law and order in the country and demanded of it explanation for the recent lawlessness in the country.

"The government has totally failed to provide safety and security to the life and property of the people," said Naila Khan, coordinator of Sammilito Nari Samaj, while addressing a press conference.

Not merely women, no citizen is safe under the prevailing situation in the country, the leaders said referring to the incident for assault on a woman at the TSC, murder of the Joint Secretary Nikunja Behari Nath and kidnapping of Tuhin on Dhaka University campus.

The leaders demanded an explanation from the government on the role of police on recent events, including repression on women, men and children and the failure of the administration in maintaining law and order.

They demanded immediate arrest of and exemplary punishment to the persons responsible for those crimes.

They condemned all 'reactionary' remarks on the movement of women. They also demanded that the government took effective measures so that women could move freely at day and night.

They protested the government's inactivity in matters of informing the women groups about the women and child repression law, passed by the Jatiya Sangsad.

Women leaders expressed concern over dangerous deterioration of law and order in the country.

They condemned the statement made by Jainal Hazari, MP in parliament regarding assault of Badhan on the new Year's eve.

They alleged that some of the Awami League legislators have been providing shelter to cadres involved in the assault of Badhan.

"We have specific information that cadres of Jainal Hazari had been involved in the TSC incident, that was why he made the remarks to save his cadres staying at Shahidullah Hall of Dhaka University," the leader added.

The women leaders termed the proposed public safety law as a 'black law' and said that the law was being made to use it more as a political weapon than anything else. They also urged the government to refrain from processing the law.

The repression on women had exceeded its all-previous records with 8,710 women and children falling victims to suppression in the year 1999, the leaders said quoting a Home Ministry record.

The leaders alleged that the accused in many cases have been moving freely in front of the eyes of the law enforcing agency personnel.

They also accused that a section of the law enforcing agency personnel, as well as a section of officials of the civil administration, of having been long involved in protecting the accused.

The press conference, held at the Jatiya Press Club, was also addressed among others, by Advocate Sigma Huda, Advocate Salma Ali, Hajera Sultana, Farida Sultana, Sultana Akhtar Ruby, Rawshan Ara Rupa and Khaleda Khatun.