National Citizen Party convener and lawmaker Nahid Islam on Thursday urged the government to strengthen treatment facilities to prevent further child deaths.

‘We do not want any more children to die because of measles,’ he said as chief guest at a joining ceremony for new members held at the July Revolution Memorial Hall of Chattogram Press Club in Jamal Khan area in city.

Nahid called on the government to identify those actually responsible for the crisis and ensure their punishment, stating it should not simply shift blame to the previous administration in an attempt to free itself of responsibility.

He said that the authorities must take necessary measures, conduct an investigation and bring the guilty to justice, stressing the need to ensure adequate treatment facilities, including intensive care unit support.

Referring to the recent West Bengal election in neighbouring India, Nahid said that the matter was an internal issue, but alleged that hundreds of thousands of voters had been stripped of citizenship before the vote, most of them Muslims and members of the Matua community.

He further said that he had raised the issue in parliament, adding that persecution of Muslims and attacks on the Matua Dalit and other minority communities continued even after the election.

Following the election results in West Bengal, Bangladesh’s responsibility had increased, he said, calling for responsible behaviour from Bangladesh.

He stated that protecting the country’s sovereignty, along with the security and civic rights of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Christians, was the responsibility of all.

Leaders and activists of the NCP from different levels were present at the event at which speakers emphasised maintaining communal harmony.

The programme ended with the induction of new members into the party.