PM seeks people’s help to check coronavirus surge

ZOOMBANGLA DESK: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today called upon the countrymen to help the government in containing the Covid-19 onslaught by maintaining health guidelines such as wearing masks, avoiding mass gatherings and refraining from going outside unnecessarily in view of the sudden surge in the coronavirus infections, BSS reports.

“We have to bring the situation under control as we did earlier immediately after the coronavirus breakout. We are trying to bring the virus under control. But, assistance from the people is necessary to contain it,” she told the parliament while speaking on a condolence motion on incumbent lawmaker from Sylhet-3 constituency Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, who died recently.

The Leader of the House said that a sudden surge in the coronavirus infection rate has been seen in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the world, adding, “The coronavirus (infection) has increased, particularly on March 29, 30 and 31, as high as couldn’t be imagined.”

She said that the country is witnessing the sudden surge in the Covid-19 infection as the people are ignoring the health guidelines since vaccination against the virus started as they are thinking that nothing would happen to them.

“I repeatedly told people to wear masks and follow the health guidelines even after taking the jabs against coronavirus. But, maintaining the health protocol has been stopped,” she continued.

The Prime Minister reiterated her call to the countrymen to put masks on faces which she described as the most important thing and follow other health guidelines to remain protected from the lethal virus.

She said it has been estimated that the people attending marriage ceremonies and going to tourist places for outing mainly contributed to the sudden surge in the Covid-19 infection rate.

The Prime Minister called upon all to avoid mass gatherings and stop going out home unnecessarily and arrange marriage ceremonies on a limited scale following the health guidelines.

“After returning home from offices or other places, take steam of hot water by covering heads with a piece of cloth which can work effectively against the Covid-19,” she suggested.

She also suggested taking mustard oil in the nose before leaving the house, saying that she has been using it since the Covid-19 onset.

The Prime Minister said that her government has already issued some directives to effectively fight the coronavirus onslaught.

She stressed the need for making people aware about maintaining the directives to check the sudden surge of the Covid-19 and asked all not to mix with people unnecessarily.

Taking part in the discussion on a condolence motion expressing profound shock at the death of a sitting member of parliament, Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, and some noted personalities, including HT Imam, Sheikh Hasina, also the Leader of the House, expressed found shock and sorrow at their deaths and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved families.

She described both Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury and her political adviser HT Imam as politically conscious persons and recalled their contributions to nation building activities.

On Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, she said that he was elected lawmaker in every national election with a huge margin from his constituency as he was keen to work for the people, adding, “Sylhet has been affected politically at his demise.”

About HT Imam, the premier said that he was a cabinet secretary since the emergence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh in 1975 and was a politically conscious person.

She said that HT Imam has written two books on the measures taken by then governments at the request of mine.

The Prime Minister also recalled the contribution of former state minister Mohammad Aman Ullah (four-time MP from Mymensingh-11), Monsur Ahmed (two-time MP from Satkhira-4) and Abdul Majid Mandal (MP in 10th Parliament from Siranganj-5).

She said Monsur Ahmed, who was president of Satkhira District Unit Awami League, was brutally tortured by the government of Ziaur Rahman.

Regarding Barrister Moudud Ahmed (six-time MP from Noakhali-5 and Bogura-7), the premier said that Moudud had talent, if it was used for the welfare of the people, it could have been better.

She also said that Moudud had never been appointed as a lawyer in the Agartola Conspiracy Case though he (Moudud) had claimed so.

On the death of Belgali daily Janakantha editor Mohammad Atikullah Khan Masud, the Prime Minister said, “It will be injustice to say nothing about Atikullah Khan Masud.”

She said that Atikullah Khan Masud had, at his own initiative, taken a brave role in collecting information regarding inhuman tortures of Awami League leaders and workers by the BNP after it assumed office through the 2001 farcical election though many newspapers dared not to do it at that time.

“It’s a matter of regret that the journalist community has lost a brave person and a good warrior at the demise of Atikullah Khan Masud,” she opined.

On death of chairman of Sikder Group of Industries Zainul Haque Sikder, also father of Parveen Haque Sikder, an Awami League lawmaker from women reserved seat, the premier said that he was not only a freedom fighter but also a person who gave all sorts of supports to the pro-liberation people.

The parliament unanimously adopted a condolence motion this morning.

Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion in the House at the beginning of the 12th session of the 11th Parliament.

As per the tradition, the day’s business of parliament was adjourned after the adaptation of the condolence over the death of sitting Awami League MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, who was elected from Sylhet-3 constituency, in order to pay respect to him.

A one-minute silence was observed and a munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed soul. Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah conducted the munajat.

Before the condolence motion was passed, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan (Panchagarh-2), Opposition chief whip Mashiur Rahman Ranga (Rangpur-1), Awami League MPs Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim (Gopalganj-2), Muhammad Faruk Khan (Gopalganj-1), Nurul Islam Nahid (Sylhet-6), Md Abdus Shahid (Maulvibazar-4), Nesar Ahmed (Maulvibazar-3) and Enamul Haque (Rajshahi-4), Jatiya Party MP Pir Fazlur Rahman (Sunamganj-4) and BNP MP Md Harunur Rashid (Chapainawabganj-3) also took part in the discussion.