Zakir Hossain / Dhaka
Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, has called on citizens to immediately restore complete law and order across the country. He urged authorities to ensure that no further attacks occur on properties associated with Sheikh Hasina’s family, politicians of the Awami League (AL), or any citizen.
In a statement issued on Friday, Yunus acknowledged the anger of activists who have attacked properties, stating, “Their outrage is understandable as they and their loved ones suffered years of tyranny under Hasina.” Yunus appealed for restraint, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law. “Respecting the rule of law is what differentiates the new Bangladesh we are building from the old Bangladesh under the fascist regime. Any disregard for the law endangers citizens’ lives and property.”
He reminded the public that those who “rose up and overthrew the Hasina regime in July and August” must prove their commitment to justice. “Champions of a just new Bangladesh must never act in ways that could support any perceived equivalence between today’s institutions and the ousted autocrats.”
Yunus assured that security forces are prepared to act against any provocation. “If any attempt is made to destabilize the country, law enforcement agencies will take strict action against those creating chaos and anarchy, including property destruction. The government will bring the responsible individuals and groups to justice.”
Condemning the Awami League, he stated, “The leaders of the fascist regime have left the country in ruins. They have no chance to return as long as we remain vigilant. Any attacks on their properties give them an excuse to draw international attention and spread fabricated stories.”
Meanwhile Bangladesh interim government will soon take steps to ban the Awami League (AL) as a political party, according to local government, rural development, and cooperatives adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain.
“It is very positive that political parties have come to a ‘consensus’ on banning AL,” he said in an interview with the state-run news agency BSS, marking six months of the current government. He added that the people rejected AL’s “undemocratic and monopolistic attitude,” leading to this consensus after August 5 last year.
On whether the government is taking immediate action, he stated, “It’ll be easier for the government to implement any decision if there is such consensus among political parties. Our main goal should be to prioritize the aspirations and demands of the people.” He also welcomed Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) demand to ban AL, saying, “I would like to applaud the demand raised by BNP for banning AL.”