Ensure security at shrines: speakers

The government should ensure security at shrines and khanqahs across the country through monitoring and effective presence from law enforcement agencies, demanded leaders of a youth forum yesterday.

At a human chain in front of Jatiya Press Club, Mainia Youth Forum also demanded that those responsible for recent attacks on mazars, as well as individuals who incited violence, be brought to justice.

“Human rights violations have continued across the country for years without any effective remedy,” said Syed Mashuk E Moinuddin, president of the forum.

“We hoped that after the new government assumed office, law and order along with people’s civil liberties would be restored, but to no avail,” he said.

Mashuk also urged the government to arrange a national dialogue soon, warning that they would be compelled to launch a larger movement if mob violence and extrajudicial killings continued.

Similar sentiment came from Akbar Hossain Rubel, forum’s general secretary.

The protest came five days after a pir (spiritual leader) was killed in Kushtia on April 12.