Four senior MPs of the ruling alliance tonight proposed for forming of an all-party parliamentary committee to work out a solution to the Rohingya crisis and repatriate them to their country.

They also suggested the speaker fixing a day for discussion on the burning issue in parliament.

Speaking on point of order, Awami League MP Mohammad Nasim, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haq Inu and Bangladesh Traikat Federation chairman Syed Nazibul Bashar Maijbhandari came up with the proposal.

Nasim first raised the issue saying the problem has not been solved though different foreign leaders visiting Bangladesh and gave lip services while only three Rohingys have so far returned to their country.

"As the parliament session is going on, Mr Speaker you please fix a day for discussion on the Rohingya problem so that all party MPs can discuss the ways to solve the problem," he said.

Nasim, also a presidium member of AL, said an all-party parliamentary body can be formed if necessary and they can visit India, China and Myanmar to take necessary measures for resolving the crisis.

Supporting his proposal, Inu said it is necessary to convey the country's people and the international community about the views of the MPs of 11th parliament on the Rohingya issue.

"A parliamentary party also can place a report in the House after visiting the United Nations. Rohingya problem will not be resolved without a tripartite initiative of Bangladesh, UN and Myanmar as it is an international issue," Inu also said.

Menon raised the question about the justification of the bilateral agreement signed between Bangladesh and Myanmar over sending Rohingyas to their homeland.

He also said the foreign fiends of Bangladesh did their politics regarding Rohingya issue.

Condemning violence in Bangladesh, the United Nations has urged all sides to show restraint and ensure a peaceful post electoral environment in the country.

The USA and the European Union have also denounced violence over the just concluded parliamentary elections, and called for addressing all electoral complaints in a peaceful manner.

Welcoming the participation of all major political parties in the general election for the first time in 10 years, they said it was a positive development which reflected aspirations of people for democracy.

The spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement on Monday said, “The United Nations is aware of violent incidents and reports of irregularities in the Bangladesh general election.”

The UN regretted the loss of life and injuries sustained by candidates and voters during the electoral campaign and on the voting day, it said.

US STATEMENT

The US in a statement yesterday commended the Bangladeshis who voted in the election as well as the decision of all major opposition parties to participate.

“The United States remains deeply invested in the future of Bangladesh and its democratic development. The United States is Bangladesh's largest foreign investor, largest single-country market for Bangladeshi exports, and home to a large community of Americans of Bangladeshi origin,” said Robert Palladino, deputy spokesperson of the US state department.

However, it expressed concern over reports of harassment, intimidation, and violence in the pre-election period saying that those incidents made it difficult for many opposition candidates and their supporters to meet, hold rallies, and campaign freely. “We are also concerned that election-day irregularities prevented some people from voting, which undermined faith in the electoral process.”

He said his country strongly encourages all parties to refrain from violence and request the EC to work constructively with all sides to address claims of irregularities.

“Bangladesh's impressive record of economic development and respect for democracy and human rights are mutually reinforcing, and we look forward to continue working with the ruling government and opposition towards advancing these interrelated goals,” reads the statement.

EU STATEMENT

The EU said the mobilisation of voters and the participation of the opposition in the polls reflected the people's aspirations for democracy.

“However, violence has marred the election day, and significant obstacles to a level playing field remained in place throughout the process and have tainted the electoral campaign and the vote,” an EU spokesperson said in a statement yesterday.

Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy of the EU, in his statement said the relevant authorities should now ensure a proper examination of allegations of irregularities and commit to full transparency in their resolution.

A parliamentary body today asked the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) to set up necessary number of water hydrants in the capital city to fight fire accident.

The parliamentary standing committee on disaster management and relief affairs ministry came up with the recommendations at a meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

“Wasa officials who were present at the meeting assured the committee that they will take immediate measures to establish water hydrants in Dhaka,” ruling Awami League MP Panchanam Biswas, a member of the parliamentary watchdog, told The Daily Star.

He also said setting up of necessary number of water hydrants will help fire fighters to fight in case of any major fire accident as Dhaka has almost no water bodies.

Asked Professor Nazrul Islam, chairman of Centre for Urban Studies (CUS), said the Jatiya Sangsad committee’s recommendation is a positive initiative. “But it has to be established in a coordinated manner.”

He also said Rajuk and Fire Service and Civil Defense will have to be included in the process to determine the number of water hydrants and where it should be constructed.

Prof Nazrul also said the nature of water hydrant will have to be determined on the basis of the types of houses and buildings of any particular place.

There is no pond or any other water bodies in the city. Fire fighters often use water reservoir of different buildings to control fire.

“That’s why setting up of water hydrant in a planned manner will be useful for fire service staffs to tackle fire incident,” he said. 

Iqbal Habib, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon said water hydrant would not yield any good result if it is set up in an unplanned manner like dustbins in Dhaka.

The fifth session of the 11th parliament that began today will continue till November 14.

The decision was taken at a meeting of Business Advisory Committee of the parliament with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

Committee members Leader of the House and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, leader of the opposition Raushan Ershad, Amir Hossain Amu, among others attended the meeting held at the parliament complex this afternoon.

The meeting also decided that the House would sit around 4:15pm every working day.

Earlier, the fourth session of the 11th Parliament was prorogued on September 12 after four working days, which saw the passing of one bill out of five placed in the House.

The United Kingdom has urged the Bangladesh authorities for a full, credible and transparent resolution of all complaints related to the conduct of the December 30 general elections.

“While I welcome the participation of all opposition parties in these elections, I am aware of credible accounts of obstacles, including arrests, that constrained or prevented campaigning by opposition parties, and of irregularities in the conduct of elections on polling day that prevented some people from voting,” said British Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field.

He came up with the comments in a press statement yesterday following the announcement of the unofficial results for the 11th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh.

“I deplore the acts of intimidation and unlawful violence that have taken place during the campaign period, and am deeply concerned by the incidents that led to so many deaths on polling day. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones,” the British minister said in the statement.

Terming free, fair, peaceful, and participatory elections essential to any functioning democracy, Minister Field said, “It is vital for the government and all political parties to now work together to address differences and find a way forward in line with the interests of the people of Bangladesh”.

Mentioning that the UK has a broad and important partnership with Bangladesh, and a significant Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK, Mark Field added, “We will continue to support the people of Bangladesh in their aspirations for a more stable, prosperous, and democratic future”.