Environmentalists on Friday demanded punishment for those who had cut down and destroyed hundreds of trees during recent political violence across the country.
At a protest rally, participants urged political parties to stop all types of non-political activities like tree felling, uprooting trees and blocking highways by putting up age-old trees in the name of movement.
Eighteen social and environmental organisations jointly organised the rally in front of the National Press Club in protest at recent killings of people, property destruction and environmental degradation all over the country in the name of movement.
Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Mujahidul Islam Selim said, ‘If killing human beings is a crime, killing trees which give us oxygen is also a crime.’
He compared the miscreants who destroyed trees across the country during recent political violence with the war criminals and demanded their punishment under the Speedy Trial Act.
Architect Iqbal Habib called on political parties to protect human beings and environment from all kinds of violence.
Institution of Architects Bangladesh former president Mobassher Hossain said that political movement was important for democracy, but what was happening during the current year in the name of movement was unexpected and brutal.
BAPA secretary general Md Abdul Matin said killing innocent citizens, including children and women, setting fire to public transports and state property took a very worst shape of politics in the country.
Miscreants in the name of political programs were indiscriminately cutting down trees, he said, adding that trees are playing an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of a country.
He urged all political parties to stop killing people, setting fire to public property and harming the environment.
Citizen Rights Movement Tusher Rehman said that Hefazat-e-Islam had started uprooting trees during their countrywide protests.
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan, Institution of Architects Bangladesh, Green Voice, Doctors for Health and Environment, Work for Better Bangladesh, Sundor Jibon, Nirapad Development Foundation, Unnayan Dhara trust, Citizen Rights Movement, Adi Dhakabasi Forum, Blue Planet Initiative, Peace, Sobuj Pata, United People’s Trust, Paribesh Bikkhon and Green Belt Trust joined the rally.
IEAB president Abu Syeed M Ahmed, Doctors for Health and Environment vice-president M Abu Sayed, Bangladesh Paribesh Network Australia representative Nilufer Jahan, politician Ruhin Hossain Prince, BAPA joint secretary Sharif Jamil and Sundor Jibon president Siraj Molla, among others, took part in the protest rally.
-With New Age input