LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Engineer Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said on Sunday law enforcers are carrying out a crackdown on criminals to maintain law and order in the country and keep the situation peaceful during the upcoming municipal polls.
“Not only the BNP-Jamaat men are being arrested, criminals are being arrested on specific charges, not out of any political enmity,” he said during a dialogue with ‘Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF)’ at his ministry.
“If we get any allegation of arrest for political harassment, we’ll investigate the matter and take proper steps,” he added. Responding to a question over neutrality in local government polls to be held under a party manner, he said, “It’s clear that the local government elections will be held under party banners. If it’s not held in a partisan manner, it’ll be an exception of rule.”
Responding to another question about suspension of the four city corporation mayors, he said the mayors of four city corporations-Rajshahi, Gazipur, Khulna and Sylhet-were suspended according to city corporation law as they were charge-sheeted accused.
Mentioning different infrastructure development works of his ministry, he said rural roads under the local government will be turned into concrete ones within three years. He also said the ministry is taking steps for allocating funds for the development of Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation.
Terming the ‘One Home, One Farm’ project as a revolutionary one the minister said it will be extended further.
Local Government Secretary Abdul Malek and Cooperatives and Rural Development Secretary Kader Sarker were present at the dialogue.
