The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Rajshahi

Home Adviser Major General (Retd) MA Matin here yesterday said, the matter for lifting ban on the indoor politics across the country outside the capital Dhaka is under active consideration of the government.

In this context, he reiterated that the government had earlier lifted the ban on indoor politics in the capital Dhaka aimed at creating congenial atmosphere for holding dialogue between the Election Commission (EC) and the political parties.

He was addressing a view-sharing discussion with the Divisional Officials, Deputy Commissioner (DCs), Superintendent of Police (SP) and some other high officials at the Conference hall of DC here.

Referring to the police-killing and firearms looting incident at Taherpur here Home Adviser said, the government is committed to maintain law and order and it would check any kind of terrorist activity strictly.

He asked all the field level government agencies like administration, police, RAB, BDR, Ansar and intelligence agencies to work unitedly to root out the extremist network along with their subversive activities and said, the terrorists, irrespective of any identity, must be given exemplary punishment after bringing them to book.

With Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Hafizur Rahman Bhuiyan in the chair, DCs and SPs from all the 16 districts under the division and divisional heads of BDR, RAB, intelligence agencies, Ansar-VDP and representative of Army attended the meeting.

Matin said, the government is very much confident that the EC would able to present a free, flawless and acceptable election to the nation on the basis of holding bilateral discussion and understanding between the EC and political parties.

Terming the 2008 as a significant year for the nation, he observed that the government has been working relentless for attaining democracy through following a selective roadmap.

Referring to a series of success of the government, particularly institutional reforms and corruption elimination despite some failures like price hike of essential commodities he said, the work for institutionalising democracy is being advanced at present in the country.

He said, as many as 59 influential persons were so far awarded with different terms of punishment by the Courts out of some 455 pending corruption-related cases.

Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Dr Altaf Hossain, Mayor-in- charge of Rajshahi City Corporation Rejaunnabi Dudu, DIG of Rajshahi Range Mukhlesur Rahman and Commissioner of RMP Mahbub Mohsin also joined the meeting.