Highway police chief Additional IGP Md Shahabuddin Khan said the vehicles carrying sacrificial animals cannot be stopped on the highways for any excuse.
He made this remark on Wednesday while addressing a coordination meeting, which was organized to keep the highway safe and free from traffic jams on the upcoming Eid ul Azha. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Highway police headquarters in the capital Dhaka.
The Highway police chief said the destination will be written on the front and back sides of the animal-carrying trucks.
"We shall not tolerate any interference in any way," warned the huighway police cheif.
In response to the allegation that the people of the cattle markets often block the highway and force the trucks causing traffic jams, he said, "We have come to know about this problem from our intelligence.
So district police, metropolitan police and other law law enforcement agencies will ensure that no one, be it a volunteer or any other person, can forcibly stop trucks carrying sacrificial animals."
Cattle traders alleged that extortionists often stop cattle trucks on busy roads. Regarding this complaint, the Additional IGP said that no cow market volunteers will be allowed to bring trucks by force.
For this reason, every vehicle carrying animals should have its fixed destination written on the front and back sides of the trucks, he suggested.
"Then there will be no chance of extortions. We want to make sure that there will be no extortion," he added.
About the allegation of drug smuggling using trucks carrying sacrificial animals, he said, "We will have specific monitoring in this regard. We shall enhance our vigilance and supervision to ensure that drug dealers do not get any opportunity."
About the issue of extortion in the name of various organizations, he said, "We are telling you that there will be no opportunity for extortion."
He also said, "I strongly believe that those who use the highway, will get a safe environment and we will implement it. We want everyone's cooperation."
When asked about the effectiveness of the coordination meeting which was held for the first time, he said, "It will be very effective. We can do our job well only when we coordinate with our stakeholders, partners, public."
"Through these discussions, we are identifying and discussing the detailed problems," he added.
"We are also identifying who is responsible and what challenges we need. I hope this coordination meeting will help us in maintaining law and order, curbing crime and creating a beautiful and safe environment," he said.
