Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Ruhul Kabir Rizvi today said the law and order situation in Bangladesh is “much better” than previous periods.

“There is close monitoring, and attention is being given morning and evening, so the law and order situation is at a reasonable level. Extortion at cattle markets was strongly suppressed this time. No extortion was allowed there,” Rizvi said while speaking to journalists at BNP’s Nayapaltan central office.

“Law and order situation will not become 100 percent perfect overnight. It cannot be said that nothing will happen immediately. That does not happen in any country in the world,” he said.

“But we have to see whether the rule of law is in force. We have to see whether anyone is being punished after committing a crime, and whether criminals are being arrested. Many may not be arrested easily, but we have to see whether the state machinery and law enforcement agencies are always active against them,” he added.

On Eid waste management, Rizvi praised the two Dhaka city corporations, saying they worked very well in removing sacrificial waste.

“By around 1:00pm or 2:00pm, the city corporation trucks entered different neighbourhoods and collected waste from roadsides where qurbani had taken place,” he said.

“The way these institutions, both north and south, worked is unprecedented. We did not see this before. This means the government is observing everything closely and taking quick steps wherever there is a problem,” the BNP leader added.

Referring to Eid travel, Rizvi said traffic congestion did not last long because of the government’s “very firm intervention”.

“Within a short time, traffic jam was cleared,” he said.

“As a result, this time you did not hear in any newspaper or media that buses reached destinations on the morning of Eid day. Everyone reached their village homes on time, offered Eid prayers in the morning, and performed qurbani. This is what we have learned,” he said.

Rizvi said the present government is taking action whenever any incident is identified.

“You know about the torture and murder of Ramisa. You know how he (PM) rushed there, consoled them, and brought the criminal under the law. The court will ensure a speedy trial, and every one has that belief,” he said.

Rizvi also said “defeated forces” are carrying out activities in different ways.

“They are giving conspiratorial threats. They are saying many things. The people are aware of these things, and democratic forces are also aware,” he said.

He said criticism of the government is acceptable, but conspiracy is not.

“If you are part of this state structure or political structure, you can point out the government’s mistakes. But plotting, making conspiracies, and giving hints of conspiracy in different ways -- the people of this country never took these well and will not take them well,” Rizvi said.

“The signs of conspiracy that we are hearing from different sides should not happen. I am not talking about any particular political party.”

He urged the opposition to play a responsible role.

“I hope those who are in the government today will do their duties. Those serving in the opposition will also play a responsible role. They can criticise the government and point out mistakes. But if anyone becomes part of a larger conspiracy, that will be dangerous for the country and the state,” he said.

Rizvi said every election in the country would be free and fair, adding that the Election Commission must remain a strong democratic institution.

“The prime minister has made a firm commitment to make the rule of law, the administration, and the police neutral and strong. He is taking steps to strengthen the institutions,” he said.

“So, all of us have to work within this structure so that no one becomes a victim. This is the main duty of a democratic government. The BNP government, Tarique Rahman’s government, is doing that work according to its commitment.”

Rizvi also announced BNP’s programmes marking the 45th death anniversary of former president Ziaur Rahman.

At 11:00am tomorrow, Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, along with senior party leaders, will place wreaths and offer Fateha at Ziaur Rahman’s grave.

At 6:00am, the party flag will be kept at half-mast and black flags will be hoisted at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan and BNP offices across the country.

Clothes and dry food will also be distributed at different spots in Dhaka north and south, where Tarique Rahman is scheduled to be present.

Different BNP units and associated organisations will also observe programmes in Dhaka and across the country.