BNP lawmakers urge activists to help police ensure security in protest-hit Savar

BNP lawmakers have urged party activists to take positions on the streets and cooperate with law enforcers to ensure public order amid violent protests in Savar.

The ruling party leaders made the call citing concerns that helmet-wearing and masked individuals were infiltrating the garment workers’ street demonstrations, which call for pay hikes, to cause violence and meet their own political goals.

The lawmakers made remarks to this end during an urgent security consultation called by the Savar Upazila administration at the administration’s conference room on Monday evening.

Senior police officers, and upazila administration officials were also present at the meeting.

Members affiliated with Awami League, a banned political party, were widely known to wear helmets in times of tensions and anti-government movements during the party’s almost 15-year authoritarian rule.

They wore helmets to conceal identities, save the government’s image, and protect themselves against strikes from political opponents.

In Monday’s meeting, BNP leaders and administrative officials raised particular concern over the prospects of Awami League trying to revive its posture by exploiting the garment workers’ protests.

Amanullah Aman, member of parliament (MP) of Dhaka-2, said that BNP leaders and activists had remained on the streets to monitor the workers’ protest on Monday as violence continued for the third straight day.

He urged stronger presence of his partymen and concerted efforts with government agencies to help maintain law and order.

Dhaka-19 MP Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu urged BNP activists to avoid taking the law into their own hands, and advised to seek police support when noticing anything suspicious or destabilising.

He also said that it was highly unlikely that real workers would engage in violence to press for pay hikes, even after the government has formed a wage board to meet the demand.

At the end of the meeting, police asked BNP activists to man different roads in Savar on Tuesday to help counter violent demonstrations.