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Download PDF Ruling out the possibility of lifting the state of emergency to facilitate relief work, as some political parties demand, Law Adviser Mainul Hosein yesterday urged politicians to join post-Sidr relief work without pushing their political agenda.
“Emergency is no bar to standing beside the suffering people at this time of natural disaster,” Mainul told reporters at the Bangladesh Secretariat yesterday when his attention was drawn to political parties’ poor response following the catastrophe.
Political identity should not be an issue during a time of national catastrophe and the political parties do not need to wait for government invitation, he said, adding, “This is the time to prove who can stand beside people more closely.”
“We want a restraint on party politics to be there. Political parties should forget about their identity while coming to the aid of the cyclone-affected people,” he said.
On why the government is not sitting with political parties to deal with the situation like other countries, Mainul said, “Those countries have normal situation. You know it is not at all a democratic government.”
While reflecting on his Barisal visit, Mainul termed the situation a great catastrophe and asked activists of NGOs and social organisations to join relief work.
The deputy commissioners, upazila nirbahi officers and union parishad chairmen are preparing lists of the victims and the Army, Navy and others are working in the field in a harmonised manner to ensure each victim gets assistance.
Underlining the importance of coordination in relief distribution, Mainul urged people interested in relief work to contact local administration so that relief is not wasted.
“This is not anything related to the law. We need coordination for the sake of proper distribution and to ensure that all people get it [relief],” he said.
Government machinery can help reach relief materials to remote areas and get those properly distributed, he said.
“But we shall not stop anyone from helping the victims on their own.” he added.
Welcoming the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (Rehab) plan to build houses for cyclone victims in certain areas, he said the government has decided to allocate Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000 in housing grants to the cyclone-hit people.
On allegations concerning relief distribution, he said the government would deal with these seriously.
Asked whether the election roadmap would remain uninterrupted after the disaster, he said, “We are not thinking about it now. You see, voter listing is going on.”
“We are not looking for any excuse to stay away from the roadmap,” he said, replying to another question.
November 22nd, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Inhuman! Inhuman Inhuman Selfish! Selfish!
Senseless creatures! Talikng about election, talk about saving human lives. Weep with the losses of these poor victims. Bangladesh economy is ruined by the natural disaster. Have you all lost your senses?Have you all come to the end of your wits!
Be Human, be ALLAH fearing, Be sensible Help the
GOVT to solve the zigantic suffering of millions
If you want your name to be enlisted in the book of Human beings!