Govt won't allow chaos, give security for Suhrawardy rally: Hasan

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the government will not allow anyone to create chaos in the country and the Awami League men would resist them along with the people if anyone wants to create anarchy on December 10.

"The government has provided security at their (BNP) rallies across the country and security will be provided at Suhrawardy Udyan too. Our government will not allow anyone to create chaos. Our party (AL) men have also responsibility. If anyone tries to create instability on December 10, our leaders and activists would resist them along with the people," he said.

The minister said this to reporters while replying to a query at the meeting room of his ministry at Secretariat in the capital.

Hasan said BNP asked for Suhrawardy Udyan during the discussion with police and it has been allocated. But now they are seeking streets, he added.

He said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called for the independence from that ground while the Pakistani occupation forces had surrendered there. "BNP also held many rallies in the same ground while the ruling party is also organizing rallies there regularly. Why are they expressing their reluctance now to go there?" he added.

He said BNP only wants to hold rally on streets to vandalize vehicles and to hamper people's life. The journalists and the people of the city are against rally on streets as it creates sufferings to people, said Hasan, also Awami League joint general secretary.

He said BNP can ask for another ground for their rally and they can also go to the trade fair field in Purbachal or Biswa Ijtema ground or Kamrangir Char. But they want only street, he added.

"There are many banks, insurance companies and business organizations in Matijheel area. Why do they like this place? There is a big conspiracy behind it. In fact, they (BNP) don't want to hold any rally. They want to create an issue and unstable situation in the country," said Hasan.

Replying to another query over issuing arrest warrant against BNP leaders Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and Ishraq, the minister said the arsonists are leaders and activists of BNP and the party leaders gave money and order to carry out arson attacks. The hands of BNP leaders are stained with blood, he added.

He said the court has issued arrest warrant against them and now police will take steps.

The minister said the hands of the persons vocal on the screen of televisions are stained with blood. There were cases against them, he said, adding the court has suspended bails of many of them and now police will take steps against them.

He said the people believe that the persons, who gave money and order to carry out arson attacks, should be brought to book.

Replying to another query, Hasan said the people are the owner of the country and they will decide who will be in power or not. The diplomats have no scope to talk here, he added.

But it is regrettably true that BNP visits the diplomats again and again, he said, adding no one will give them power. The envoys have no right to put anyone in power in this country, he added.

In fact, he said, BNP expresses their bankruptcy through visiting the diplomats again and again. "I think it often becomes interference in our freedom and sovereignty when foreign diplomats talk about our internal affairs, which is not appropriate," said Hasan.

Earlier, the minister exchanged views with the leaders of Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum (BCCJF) over Bangladesh's expectation and achievements in COP-27.

Forum president Kawsar Rahman, general secretary Motahar Hossain, joint secretary Masud-ul-Haque and members Saju Rahman and Habib Rahman, among others, were present while Department of Environment director Mirza Showkat Ali presented the keynote paper.

In the meeting, Hasan said the demand to form special fund for 'loss and damage' is long-standing. But there is no progress though it was acknowledged in Article-8 of Paris Agreement, he added.

He said it is a matter of hope that about hundred heads of government and states including the US President and the UK Prime Minister took part the conference. One of the developments this time is that the global community has given importance to the issue of 'Loss and Damage', he added.