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Businesses lament political intolerance

Sohel Parvez
Businesses yesterday termed the current confrontational situation in the political arena unfortunate for the nation and said creating panic among the people by muscleflexingwill not do any good.
They also slammed the government's lack of tolerance ahead of the Cholo Cholo Dhaka Cholo (March to Dhaka) programme of the BNP, which has been demanding a restoration of the caretaker government system before the next spate of parliamentary elections.
The opposition has announced a grand rally to be held in the city's Nayapaltan today as part of the programme with the participation of leaders and activists from
across the country.
The business community also urged the main opposition BNP and its allies to join parliament and enter into a dialogue with the ruling party to resolve the ongoing political crisis, instead of engaging in programmes to demonstrate political strength. Such attitudes create panic and affect public life.
"No good comes of a flexing of muscles," said AK Azad, president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, while referring to the faceoff between the government and the opposition.
The reaction came even as panic gripped the entire capital, with thousands
being arrested on the mere suspicion that they might create anarchy. Restrictions were clamped on city hotels about accepting guests.
Paralysing road communications in the city, police have requisitioned a large number of buses, trucks and pickups.
Operators have been asked by the government to keep inter-district buses and launches off the routes in efforts to stop a streaming of people into the rally.
Transportation of essential commodities, such as vegeta-bles, was disrupted. Businesses passed a dull day amid a low turnout of buyers in city markets.
"A panicky situation prevails among people in the country. All are afraid of what is going to happen tomorrow [today]," saidAzad.
"It is totally unfortunate for the nation," he said. "We do not want this kind of political atmosphere forty years after gainingindependence."
"We are now under a democratic government and it should show the highest level of tolerance."
The FBCCI chief said uncertainty dampened business confidence. Many are not sending out trucks on the highways in apprehension of hijackingorattacks today.
Supply of vegetables from North Bengal as well as fish to Dhaka city is also affected.
The FBCCI leader urged both the ruling and opposition parties to resolve their disputes through dialogue both in and out of parliament for the sake of industrialisation and a good image of Bangladesh abroad.
"Political uncertainty
creates fear and thus discourages new investment. If domestic investors do not feel confident, foreign investment too will not come," he said.
Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said people did not want to see any political programme that can create panic among the people.
"Our country is already suffering from a lot of problems. We should not create further problems that can only affect our progress," he said, urging all to sit for a dialogue.
"It is not that we are fighting to free Bangladesh from Pakistan. Why shall we be engaged in confrontation?" said Shafiul, who represents a major sub-sector of the garments industry, the main
export earner.
Fazlul Hoque, former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said the current political environment was not healthy at all.
"It is not desirable," he said, adding the government could have handled the opposition programme in a much betterway.
Fazlul said many people failed to join office yesterday. They might do the same tomorrow.
"It's an environment of unease. Nobody loves to live with it," said Fazlul who did not allow his son to go to university yesterday. "I felt uncomfortable allowing him to go to university.”
Mir Nasir Hossain, former president of FBCCI, feared that the economy might get worse due to deterioration of
political atmosphere.
While the government shows weaknesses in financial sector management, Eurozone crisis bites exports receipts, he said.
He said businessmen did not want strikes. "But meetings are normal democratic norms. It should not be obstructed."
Amjad Khan Chowdhury, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said political parties and leadership should reach a consensus in the greater interest of the country and the economy.
"We as business people want a conducive environment to do business in the domestic market as well as in export business," he said, adding that confrontational politics took a liking toastrain 2 on the economy.