The Awami League (AL)-led 14-Party Alliance yesterday (Friday) alleged that the transport sector has been holding people to ransom for decades. It also thinks that this is high time to end mismanagement in the sector. “Those who work in the transport sector and those who lead the sector have no party. They work for their own interest, irrespective of party affiliation. So, I think this is the high time to protest against them,” said alliance spokesperson Mohammad Nasim.

Nasim, also the health minister, came up with the statement while addressing a news conference after holding a meeting with partners of the 14-Party Alliance at the Dhanmondi political office.

The minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to approve the Road Transport Act at the next Cabinet meeting on Monday, keeping provision of capital punishment for killers on the road.

“I hope that once the Act is approved, it'll be passed by Parliament to end mismanagement in the transport sector,” he added.   

Terming the ongoing students’ movement for safe road as logical, the minister said the students have shown the government its weakness and mismanagement in the sector.

Calling upon the students, guardians and teachers to go back to their homes and educational institutions, Nasim, also an AL presidium member, said: “Your movement for safe road has been successful. The government has accepted all your demands. Just wait and see.”

AL general secretary Obaidul Quader has urged the students not to step into any “instigation trap”.

“After failing in the quota reform demos, the BNP and the fundamental forces are depending on the students and they want to instigate their movement,” he told newsmen after a joint meeting between the AL Presidium, Dhaka city north-south presidents and general secretaries, and other associated bodies at the AL office here.

Quader, also the minister for road transport and bridges, said the government has accepted all the nine demands of the agitating students.

“We are seeking cooperation from the heads of all education institutions, members of governing bodies and guardians to bring back discipline on the roads,” he added.

At the same time, the AL general secretary urged the teachers and guardians to take the students back to their homes and educational institutions.

The AL leader urged the party leaders and activists to have patience and face the present situation with caution. “The government has accepted all the demands of the students to avoid any untoward situation and mitigate the people’s sufferings,” he said.

Quader also said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself is looking into the demands put forward by the students.

He further said a draft Act will be finalised at the Cabinet meeting on Monday and will be placed in the next Parliament session for enactment to ensure safety and discipline on roads.

“The slogans being chanted by children against the government are not decent,” said the minister, adding that some quarters with vested interests are now instigating the students.

“The people are the worst sufferers as plying of vehicles has been suspended due to torching and vandalising incidents,” he said.

He expressed hope that the sufferings would end soon.

AL joint general secretaries Mahabub-Ul Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Awami League leaders AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Habibur Rahman Siraj, Akhtaruzzaman, Dhaka city north-south leaders, including Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sayeed Khokon, among others, attended the meeting.