Workers' Movement Is Justified, Government Responsible for Unrest: Nahid Islam

PNN News Desk | Pabna

National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener and Opposition Chief Whip Nahid Islam has described the ongoing workers' movement as justified, accusing the government of creating labour unrest through a lack of proper planning and effective initiatives.

He also said the government could not evade responsibility by labelling legitimate movements as conspiracies.

Nahid Islam made the remarks on Tuesday (November 3) during a briefing with journalists ahead of a discussion meeting at the Pabna Shilpakala Academy auditorium.

The meeting was organised by the Pabna district unit of the NCP to review organisational progress and exchange views on the upcoming local government elections.

The NCP convener said the government would also have to take responsibility if any group attempted to create anarchy or violence during the workers' movement.

He argued that if members of what he described as fascist forces managed to infiltrate a movement based on workers' legitimate demands, it would demonstrate a failure of the government's intelligence operations.

Nahid further alleged that intelligence agencies were being used to suppress opposition parties.

However, he questioned why the government had not yet disclosed any intelligence information concerning those whom it identifies as enemies of the country and who, according to him, had fled to India after killing members of the public.

He also criticised the interim government's handling of protest movements.

Nahid Islam said the interim government had dealt with nearly 500 movements during its tenure. However, he argued that protests could not be brought to an end without gaining public trust.

According to him, the current government lacked the confidence of the people.

He claimed that the government had betrayed the verdict of 70 per cent of the population and violated the promises and commitments made before the election, including those outlined in its election manifesto.

Referring to the recent increase in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices, Nahid Islam said the price of cylinder gas had been raised once again the previous day.

He claimed that a cylinder previously priced at Tk 1,800 in the open market had been sold for Tk 2,500 and expressed concern that prices could rise further.

Calling on people to take to the streets to protect their interests, the NCP convener said the government must be held accountable through public movements over issues involving people's rights and interests.