Businesses want improvement in law and order situation

FE Report The government should improve law and order for the sake of country's business and economy, said businessmen at a seminar Sunday in the capital. Disagreeing with the businessmen's contention, the Home Minister Advocate Shahara Khatun said that the law and order situation in the country is better than previous times. "You (businessmen) say law and order has deteriorated. But I would not say this, rather it is better now compared to last ten years' records. The situation will improve further," she said while speaking at the seminar on "Improvement of Law and Order Situation for Better Business" as the chief guest. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organsied the seminar at the auditorium of the chamber building in the city. Decrying the present law and order situation in the county the businessmen demanded of the government to stem migrant workers' influx to the capital and evict hawkers from the footpaths as they are contributing to the present nagging traffic jam in the capital causing harm to the business. They also strongly suggested to the government to uproot illegal drug trade and arrest persons who are involved in such unethical profession as this is also one of the reasons for deterioration of law and order in the country. "The economic activities in the country are being hampered due to the gradual deterioration of law and order in the country. It is a national issue. The remedial measures should be taken right now. The image of government mostly depends on the success and failure of improving law and order," President of DCCI Asif Ibrahim said. He stressed active role of the people's representatives side by side with the police administration to improve law and order. The home minister said the election manifesto of the present government has clearly mentioned establishing a business friendly environment in the country and providing facilities for attracting more local and international investment. "Bangladesh is the best country for investment in South Asia. The government is committed to maintain investment-friendly environment in the country," she said. She said the government was working for improving traffic management in the capital. In this regard she mentioned about the flyover and elevated expressway projects now being implemented to address gridlock in the capital. "As per your (businessmen) request we (the government) have imposed ban on plying rickshaws on the roads in city's commercial hub. Now you again demand for plying of rickshaws on those roads. What we could do?" she asked. She said eviction of hawkers from footpaths might create social unrest as it relates to their bread and butter issue. She, however, called upon all to work together for addressing those problems. Advocate Shahara Khatun said the border guards of the country have to face difficulties at times in checking cross border drug peddling since they have to perform their duties on foot to cover long distance in many areas. She suggested to wage a social movement among people in the border areas so that drug could not be smuggled into the country. Acting Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Abdul Jalil Mondol said that the police force was working hard to address traffic jam in the capital. He also called upon all to work together to create awareness to free youths from drug addiction. DCCI directors Hossain A Sikder, ASM Mohiuddin Monem, Khairul Majid Mahmud, Md Nasiruddin Khan, M Abu Horaira and former president of the organisation Hossain Khaled, among others, took part in the discussion. DCCI senior vice-president TIM Nurul Kabir gave vote of thanks.