Health Desk – 01 Apr, 2021: Mentioning that Covid-19 is rapidly spreading again, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought cooperation from all to bring the second wave of the virus under control.
Participating in a condolence motion in the parliament on the demise of Awami League MP from Sylhet-3, Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury, the premier urged people to strictly maintain health safety measures, not to hold large wedding ceremonies and public gatherings considering the present Covid-19 situation.
As part of parliamentary custom, other House proceedings were adjourned due to the demise of Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury who died on March 11.
Earlier at around 11:00am, the 12th session of 11th parliament started with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair. MPs attended the session following health safety measures.
In her brief speech, the PM said her government could bring the coronavirus infection under control. “But again, there has been a global outbreak [of Covid-19]. Infection rate has been on the rise suddenly in Bangladesh for some days,” she said.
The premier said many may think that since they have been vaccinated, nothing will happen, and have stopped maintaining health safety measures.
The prime minister further said that everything has to be controlled as done during the first wave of coronavirus infection.
“I have already given some instructions in this regard,” she said.
Referring to the 18-point instructions of the government to curb Covid-19 infection, the prime minister said the government is trying to bring the infection under control gradually again. “That’s why we need the cooperation of people.”
She advised all to wear masks at all times.
Expressing deep condolence over the death of Mahmud Us Samad, Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina said, “It is unfortunate that many members of this parliament have died due to coronavirus infection.”
“Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury was a good organiser. He had an interest in working for the people. I talked to him just few days ago [before his death],” added the PM.
Referring to late BNP leader Moudud Ahmed, she said he had written that he was a lawyer in the Agartala conspiracy case. He was not an appointed lawyer in the case, she said.
“He used to hang out with Kamal Hossain. He used to hang out with Bangabandhu’s PS. He was especially close to Barrister Amirul Islam,” said Sheikh Hasina.
“In politics, he had the habit of changing parties frequently. He was a talented man,” she said.
Awami League MPs — Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Muhammad Faruk Khan, Nurul Islam Nahid, Pir Fazlur Rahman, Abdus Shahid — BNP’s Harunur Rashid, among others, also took part in the discussion.
Later the condolence motion was adopted unanimously.
Immediately after House proceedings began, the Speaker informed the Jatiya Sangsad that membership of Mohammad Shahid Islam Papul, lawmaker from Lakshmipur-2, was vacated as he was convicted in a criminal offence of moral turpitude in a Kuwaiti court.
