UNB, Dhaka :Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday directed the district administration concerned, law enforcement agencies, BGB and political leaders to stay alert so that enclave people do not face any trouble or harassment in any way during the execution of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).”Now the urgent and important thing is to oversee that they (enclave people) don’t face any trouble, no one could oppress them …we need to ensure so that everybody could leave peacefully as it’s the government’s duty to see the wellbeing of each and every person,” she said.The Prime Minister was addressing a videoconference with the district development coordination committees of two districts-Panchagarh and Tangail-at the Cabinet Division conference room. Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan conducted the videoconferencing.Sheikh Hasina said, the government has already issued directives to take projects for the overall development of enclaves and the welfare of their people. “Hospitals, community clinics, schools and roads would be constructed there apart from ensuring drinking water for them, providing shelter to the homeless and creating employment opportunities.”The Prime Minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of the passage of the landmark constitution amendment bill on LBA at both chambers of Indian parliament.Hasina also urged the district administration, law-enforcement agencies, BGB and political leaders to physically visit those areas and keep in touch with the people of enclaves to resolve their problems.She said, the enclave people passed their days in hardship and miserable condition for the last 68 years. “Now it’s our duty to take necessary steps for their overall development.”Hasina said, the LBA has enhanced her government’s responsibility for the enclave people, which should be carried out properly. “The appropriate execution of the agreement is important to strengthen ties with the neighbouring country.”Turning to poverty alleviation, she said her government has targeted to reduce poverty by further 10 percent during the remaining period of her government’s tenure.Highlighting various steps of her government for Panchagarh’s development, the Prime Minister said her government has developed Banglabandha Land Port there so that trade and commerce could be further expanded with neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan through the port.Praising the quality of Panchagarh tea since it is now available in foreign countries like England, Hasina underscored the need for producing more high quality tea considering both local and international demands.The Prime Minister also asked the district administration concerned to execute their development programmes properly according to priority, execute their respective duties. “We want the national budget to be implemented properly.”Mentioning that her government has already taken plan to bring all the neighbouring districts with the commuter rail network with the capital to further ease the rail communication, she said the plan is also there to make commuter rail communication with different districts.She also underscored the need for restoring navigability of the small rivers in Tangail district to avert river erosion, continue the social afforestation programme and set up fruit-processing SME industries in the district.District development coordination committees of Thakurgaon, Kishoreganj, Gaibandga and Jamalpur and divisional commissioners of Dhaka and Rangpur also remained connected during the videoconferencing.She also asked the Deputy Commissioner of Tangail to find out people left landless due to river erosion and build home for them through the ‘Ashrayan Project’.Turning to the countrywide mindless arson, vandalism, petrol bomb attacks and anarchy unleashed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance in the name of hartals and blockades for 92 days since January 5, Hasina said, “I don’t know what kind of politics Khaleda Zia is doing.State Minister for Public Administration Ismat Ara Sadiq, Public Administration Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum and PM’s Press Secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri were, among others, present.
