Disruption of public transport service to foil opposition program not acceptable

A NATIONAL daily on Tuesday reported on a pattern of transport suspension and other obstacles in major cities any time the opposition parties such as BNP calls a political gathering to drum up support for their party programme or protest against government policies or actions. Such sudden transport suspension often comes into effect under direct or indirect government pressure on transport owners to foil opposition programmes.
BNP leaders always make such complaints and it has almost become a regular phenomenon and is being practiced as nothing wrong now in our prevailing political dealings. But clearly the government is misusing power and the state machinery to suspend transport services and disrupt opposition’s peaceful programmes causing serious inconvenience to passengers. What is noticeable is that police routinely deny permission to opposition parties in their bid to hold rallies or organize such other political programmes. They use violence to disperse meetings to keep the government free from mounting political pressure. We would say police are violating police law and denying people their lawful right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.
The newspaper report quoted several incidents of transport suspension in past few months and as late as Monday when bus services suddenly stopped operating to and from Rajshahi city ahead of BNP-announced rally in the city. Owners of several private bus services said requesting not to be named that police forced them not to operate transports on the day.
Earlier the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police didn’t grant oppsition permission to hold the rally although they had applied for it two weeks ago. The sudden transport crisis has put hundreds of passengers into trouble. As it appears people’s fundamental rights to move freely or hold meetings is no more an accepted norm. A similar rally last month in Barishal was foiled as ferry services were suspended preventing party men from joining it. Another rally was disrupted in Khulna last month with a 24-hour transport suspension.
We would say the government can’t misuse its power and deny the opposition its fundamental right to propagate its politics freely. Constitutionally or legally such disruptions are not allowed.