Former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia devoted her entire life to the struggle for democracy, said Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu on Saturday.
“She left us forever after dedicating her life to restoring democracy in Bangladesh. She was like a mother to us. I pray for the salvation of her soul. May Allah grant her Jannatul Ferdous,” Minu said.
He made the remarks while addressing a ceremony as the chief guest at the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) headquarters around 11:15am, where a historic plaque commemorating the launch of RMP’s operations during Khaleda Zia’s tenure was unveiled after being restored.
Minu said Khaleda Zia played a key role in establishing the RMP.
“Through her sincere efforts, the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police was established. As prime minister, she was in charge of the Home Ministry when she formally inaugurated the RMP and laid its foundation stone,” he said.
Referring to Khaleda Zia’s visit to Rajshahi in 1992, Minu said the RMP has since become an important government institution and has been playing an active role in maintaining law and order in the city.
Speaking about the law-and-order situation in Rajshahi, the minister said people in the region were living comfortably during the BNP government’s tenure. Later, he alleged, some people amassed hundreds of crores of taka through illegal smuggling and drug trafficking.
“Drugs and drug dealers are enemies of the country and its people,” he said, urging police officials to take necessary steps to maintain a normal and peaceful environment in Rajshahi.
Minu also assured police that political leaders would not interfere in law enforcement.
“The RMP has already earned people’s trust. All of us, the political leaders, are here. We will never ask you to intervene in any matter. Let the law take its own course. Even if my own son commits an offence, take legal action against him,” he said.
Referring to the government, Minu said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was working for the welfare of the people and expressed optimism that the country would become happier and more prosperous under his leadership.
RMP Commissioner Foyezul Kabir chaired the programme.
Among others, BNP Central Secretary for Forest and Environment Affairs and chairman of Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation Mohammad Mosaddek Hossain Bulbul, Rajshahi-3 (Paba-Mohanpur) MP and chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources Ministry Advocate Mohammad Shafiqul Haque Milon, Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner Yusuf Ali, Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP President Mamunur Rashid Mamun, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam, Rajshahi Development Authority Chairman Abul Kalam Azad Sweet, Rajshahi District Council Administrator Advocate Ershad Ali Esha, Rajshahi District and Sessions Judge AHM Mahmudur Rahman, and senior officials of the administration and police attended the event.
According to the organisers, the historic plaque commemorating the establishment of the RMP had been removed during the previous government’s tenure. It was later recovered after an extensive search and has now been restored and reinstalled.
