Nazrul Islam Nabi, Khulna

Ali Asgar Lobi, a member of parliament for Khulna-5, has said that people of all religions are equal in Bangladesh and no one should face discrimination on religious grounds.

He stressed that all concerned, including law enforcement agencies, must remain alert to ensure the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja is celebrated peacefully and without disruption. Party leaders and activists must also fulfil their responsibilities, he added.

Lobi said law enforcement agencies must remain vigilant to prevent members of the ousted government or opposition parties from undermining the government’s image during the festival. However, he said, the authorities should not harass anyone unnecessarily, as had allegedly happened in the past. He also stressed that there should be no leniency towards drug-related offences, terrorism or extortion.

He announced that a pickup van would be provided to Phultala Police Station to help further improve the law and order situation in the upazila.

Lobi made the remarks as the chief guest at a preparatory meeting for Sharadiya Durga Puja at Shaheed Habibur Rahman Milanayatan at 1pm on Saturday. The meeting was chaired by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Suchi Rani Saha and conducted by Anupam Mitra.

Among those present were Upazila Health Officer Dr. Jasmin Ara, Agriculture Officer Md. Arif Hossain, Upazila BNP Convener Sheikh Abul Bashar, Senior Joint Convener Md. Selim Sardar, Member Secretary Engineer Monir Hasan Tito, Joint Convener Enamul Hossain Parvez, Union Parishad chairmen Md. Monirul Islam and Sharif Muhammad Bhuiyan Shiplu, Upazila Engineer Md. Arafat Rahman, Principal Md. Mizanur Rahman, Ajay Kumar Chakraborty, Acting Principal Maulana Borhan Uddin, Officer-in-Charge Md. Margub Tawhid, Abul Bashar, Fire Service official Md. Ashraf Hossain, freedom fighter commander Kazi Zafar Uddin, Phultala Press Club President Tapas Kumar Biswas, Secretary Sheikh Moniruzzaman, Upazila Press Club Secretary Mazharul Islam, Assistant Professor Md. Jahangir Alam, Durga Puja Celebration Committee Member Secretary Ranjit Bose and retired principal Prafulla Kumar Chakraborty.

BNP leaders Ahsanul Haque London, Md. Ataur Rahman, Anwar Hossain Babu, Motahar Hossain Kiran and Atiar Rahman Akunji were also present, among others.

Earlier, Lobi attended the monthly meeting of the law and order committee as the chief guest.

Later, he inaugurated a free medical camp organised by the Lions Club in Paigram Kasba. During the programme, he distributed a house to a disadvantaged woman, sewing machines, a food van, hospital beds, computer training certificates, wheelchairs and food items.

Officials from the Lions Club, UNO Suchi Rani Saha, Health Officer Dr. Jasmin Ara, OC Md. Margub Tawhid, Union Parishad Chairman Sheikh Abul Bashar and people from various professions attended the programme.