EdsSeeking cooperation from all to check the rapid transmission of coronavirus, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged people to avoid public gatherings, unnecessary outside stay and wear face masks everywhere.

“This time the virus is spreading very rapidly. This resurgence is not only seen in our country but also throughout the world. So, I would like to tell all that we’ll have to check the coronavirus again this time as we controlled everything in the first time,” she told Parliament.

The Prime Minister made the call participating in the discussion over the condolence motion placed in the first sitting of the 12th session of Parliament at the death of MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury (Sylhet-3).

She said though coronavirus was largely controlled in Bangladesh initially, the sudden surge in the virus infection has recently been seen as people ignored hygiene rules after the Covid-19 inoculation programme started.

Sheikh Hasina said public movement and gatherings went up excessively, though she repeatedly asked all to wear masks and follow the health rules even after getting vaccinated.

Noting that the government has already issued some directives to check the transmission of Covid-19, she said, “We’re trying to bring it under control gradually. But cooperation from people is needed in this regard.”

“I would like to request to pay special attention so that no public gathering takes place anywhere,” she said.

She suggested all to avoid large gatherings of people in social programmes like wedding and return home within a short time after completing their tasks in shops and markets.

“I would like to request all, no matter who is infected or not (by Covid-19), to wear masks always,” said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister suggested people to take the hot water steam and use mustard oil in their nose. Though the use of mustard oil is rural practice, it can be effective in many cases, she said.

“I always use mustard oil in my nose whenever go outside after the outbreak of Coronavirus,” she added.

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Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury moved the condolence motion expressing profound grief at the demise of a sitting MP Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury and some noted personalities.

The noted persons include PM’s political adviser Hossain Toufique Imam (HT Imam), former Prime Minister Moudud Ahmed (Six-time MP from Noakhali-5 and Bogura-7), former state minister Mohammad Aman Ullah (four-time MP from Mymensingh-11) three other ex-MPs- Toabur Rahim (ex-member of Ganoparishad and also member of 1st parliament from then Sylhet-14), Abdul Majid Mandal (MP in 10th Parliament from Siranganj-5) and Monsur Ahmed (two-time MP from Satkhira-4).

Talking about Mahmud Us Samad, the Prime Minister said he was a good organizer and politically a very conscious man.

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“He (Mahmud) had a great passion to work for people,” she said.

About HT Imam, the PM said that though HT Imam was a bureaucrathe  was politically a very conscious person.

“He had played enough role in our every movement and struggle,” she said.

Noting that HT Imam served as the cabinet secretary till 1975 after the independence, Sheikh Hasina said she requested the country’s first cabinet secretary to write books over the measures taken by the then government. He has already published two books and continued writing more books before his death, she added.

About Moudud Ahmed, Sheikh Hasina said he was a very talented person. “But had it (his talents) been used properly for patriotism, he might give a lot to the country,” she said.

She said Moudud had never been an appointed lawyer in the Agartala Conspiracy Case but he was with Dr Kamal Hossain and Barrister Amirul Islam at that time.

She said Moudud had never involved in politics of Chhatra League and always stayed with the government. When Moudud returned to Bangladesh in 1969 completing Bar-at-law degree abroad, there was always sympathy towards him as a son -in-law of poet Jasimuddin, she added.

Moudud was once arrested in 1973 for leaking secret information of Bangladesh to others. But he was released when poet Jasimuddin requested Bangabandhu, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said she made phone call to Moudud’s wife Hasna when they were in Singapore and also expressed grief at the death.

On death of Chairman of Sikder Group of Industries Zainul Haque Sikder, the Prime Minister said Zainul Haque provided all sorts of supports to the pro-liberation people.

“He also has done a lot of works for public welfare,” she said adding that the industrialist set up hospitals to provide people with healthcare services and established educational institutions.

Zainul Haque Sikder had always stood beside Awami League leaders and activists in very tough times, said Sheikh Hasina.

Besides, the Prime Minister recollected the contributions of former state minister Mohammad Aman Ullah and Monsur Ahmed and Abdul Majid Mandal.

The PM also recalled the contribution of Editor of the daily Janakantha Atikullah Khan Masud, particularly his contribution he made after the 2001 general election.

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