Staff Reporter :
In a staunch declaration of the government’s commitment to law and order, Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader reiterated yesterday that no one, regardless of their influence or position, will be exempt from justice if found guilty of crimes.
“The government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities,” Quader stated during an exchange with journalists at the AL’s Bangabandhu Avenue central office.
“No matter how influential a person is, if they commit crimes, they will face justice. The government has shown its honesty and courage to bring wrongdoers to account,” he said.
Highlighting the independence of the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Quader assured that the government would not shield any individual found guilty, whether a former inspector general of police (IGP) or a former army chief. “Anyone involved in wrongdoing will be brought to justice,” he asserted.
Reflecting on recent high-profile cases, Quader pointed out that those convicted in the brutal killing of BUET student Abrar Fahad were members of the Chhatra League, yet the government did not intervene to protect them. Similarly, he noted that no protection was given to those involved in the murder of Biswajit Das.
“We consider wrongdoers as wrongdoers, no matter how powerful they are. If a person commits offenses, they must be punished,” he declared.
In response to criticisms from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, who accused the ruling Awami League of misrule and oppression, Quader remarked, “Mirza Fakhrul’s mental state seems to have deteriorated. He and his party leaders are detached from reality. They have failed in their movements and have lost support.”
Quader further defended the legitimacy of the recent elections, stating that over 42 percent of the electorate participated in the last general elections, a turnout he described as satisfactory in comparison to other nations. He contrasted this with the 15 February elections during the BNP regime, where the BBC reported a mere 5 percent voter turnout, though the then Election Commission reported 21 percent.
He also referenced the first and second phases of the upazila elections, where voter turnout was reported by the Election Commission as over 36 percent and 37 percent, respectively.
Present at the meeting were other high-ranking AL officials, including Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organising Secretaries Ahmad Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque, and Sujit Roy Nandi, along with Liberation War Affairs Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr. Abdus Sobhan Golap, Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan.