Six top business chambers and associations of the country in a joint statement yesterday expressed their deep concern over the prevailing law and order situation and urged the government and all political parties to "save the social fabric from irreparable damage."
They said that the morale of the business community is now being devastated by the unabated occurrences of abduction of businessmen, rapes and attacks on women and children almost everyday and urged the government to take deterrent measures against the criminals. irrespective of their party affiliations.
The statement was signed by R Maksud Khan, president of DCCI. Laila Rahman Kabir, president of MCCI. Rokia A Rahman. president of Bangladesh Employers' Association. Mostafa Golam Quddus, president of BGMEA, Mirza All Behrouze Ispahani. chairman of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association and M Shahjahan. chairman of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association.
"The country’s trade and industry is deeply worried over the break-down of law and order and increasing crimlnalisa-tlon of the society." the statement said. "The business community recognises that the government alone is not responsi-
ble for criminalisation of the society. Nor is it alone responsible for the deficiencies of the law-enforcing agencies in dealing with the situation." it added.
"Nevertheless, the government is accountable because it has been entrusted with the task of governance and it is good governance which can establish rule of law." the statement noted.
The first threat to rule of law is criminal dependence of major political parties. Political parties, and we say emphatically that all political parties, seem to have developed a mindset that they need armed criminals to ensure support for their Eolitical programmes. The un-oly alliance which had developed over decades between the political parties and the criminals. have brought about a near collapse of rule of law." the statement read.
"The business community can not remain silent to such a situation. They have for long dealt with mas tans and other hoodlums to remain in business. Their morale is now being devastated by the unabated occurrences of abduction of businessmen. rapes, attacks on women and children, almost everyday. Such crimes are no longer confined to the streets and places of business, but one now feels great insecurity even at home. which otherwise used to be considered as a safer place. The social and business environment stands alarmingly vitiated." it said.
"We urge upon the government and all political parties that they must rededicate themselves to the rule of law and save the social fabric from irreparable damage. The government has to give a call to the society for support and let it do so with humility.
"Meanwhile, the government should take deterrent measures against the criminals, irrespective of their party affiliations, in the same way severe deterrent measures taken earlier against the criminals throwing acids on women and Indulging in other similar social offences, had a salutary effect.
"Special courts have l>een set up and laws framed to deal with business and financial offences. Similarly, special tribunals should be framed to try crimes against innocent girls like Shazneen, Tania, Runa, and many more." the statement said.