COMILLA: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that the government never hinder anyone to stage any peaceful demonstration and the law enforcement agencies take action only when the situation results in public sufferings.
Kamal made the remarks at a meeting on the law enforcers’ coordination in Comilla’s Barura upazila parishad auditorium, in wake of the reports of chaos at the black-flag rally of BNP Saturday (February 24).
Regarding the allegations of BNP accusing police of carrying out attack on their leaders and activists in the rally, the minister said: “We never hinder any peaceful democratic movement. Our law enforcers usually take necessary steps if someone causes excessive public sufferings”.
“Protecting the people from the woes in Nayapaltan was a duty of the government”, he added.
However, on Saturday, police detained 35 leaders and activists of BNP including Joint Secretary General Moazzem Hossain Alal after foiling a protest before the party’s Nayapaltan central office against the conviction of Khaleda Zia.
At least 15-20 persons were also reported injured while the law enforcing agencies used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
BDST: 1702 HRS, FEB 24, 2018
SI