Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that smoking in public places is a crime for both men and women. He said, "I request everyone not to smoke in open places."
He spoke to reporters in the wake of the tension surrounding the two young women in the capital's Lalmatia area on Saturday evening. Commenting on the incident that ultimately escalated to the police station and the controversy surrounding the young women, the Home Affairs Advisor said, "Smoking in public places should not be allowed under any circumstances."
He added, "As far as I know, two young women were smoking cigarettes and some people were going to pray. When they stopped them, the young women threw tea at them."
Then, he reiterated to everyone that "smoking in public places is a crime for both men and women."
Regarding the month of Ramadan, the Home Affairs Advisor said, "Everyone should be moderate during fasting. Our religious advisor has requested everyone not to eat outside during the day during Ramadan. This will honor those who are fasting."
Making a special request to traders to control the prices of goods during the month of Ramadan, he said, "Other religions reduce the prices of goods during their religious festivals, but in our country, it is often seen that traders increase the prices of goods during Ramadan."
He added, "I would request traders to reduce prices during Ramadan instead of increasing them."
In response to a question, the advisor said, "You have to admit that the prices of goods are lower this Ramadan than last time." He said it would be better if there was no need to conduct special campaigns to control prices.
