UNB, Dhaka :Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday ordered the police to take steps whatever necessary to stop the ongoing violence unleashed by BNP and Jamaat across the country in the name of blockade and hartal.”I’ll take the responsibility for whatever happens (for the action). But, you’ll have to ensure the security of lives of the common people and their property. You’ll take steps whatever necessary against those burning people and attacking them…there’s no need to hesitate,” she said.The Prime Minister also said, “In doing so, you must accomplish the task without any hesitation and I give you the liberty.”Hasina was addressing an evaluation meeting with senior officials of the Bangladesh Police at the International Conference Room of her office marking the Police Week 2015.She said, what the BNP-Jamaat has been committing since January 5 last in the name of hartal and blockade would never be recognised as a movement in political history as these are completely terrorist and militant acts.”The way the militants are committing acts in different countries of the world, the same way they (BNP-Jamaat) are now perpetrating destructive acts across the country,” she said.”I hope you’ll take stern actions in your respective areas to curb these terrorist acts after talking to the common people, public representatives and law enforcement agencies like Ansar and VDP AND RAB. You’ll have to unitedly curb such militant acts with an iron hand,” she added.Mentioning that the BNP-Jamaat had a horrific plan to destabilise the country, the Prime Minister thanked the police and intelligence agencies for thwarting their bid to create such an unstable situation.Alleging that the current anarchy unleashed by the BNP-Jamaat is meant to deter the economic dynamism and pace of development, she said the worst victims of these subversive acts are the common and hardworking people.Hasina questioned the BNP chief whether she, after losing her beloved son, can feel the pain of that mother who has lost her son or whose son suffered severe burn injuries in petrol bomb attacks. “Can Khaleda Zia realise this pain?”Asserting that it would not be tolerated that anyone would play game with the fate of people, deter the pace of development and cause pain to the poor people, Hasina sought cooperation of the police force to this end adding, “You’ll have to ensure the security of public life and property through curbing terrorist acts with tough measures.”She also called upon members of the police to discharge their duties with a strong mentality to establish the rule of law, protect human rights, uphold the constitution and protect democracy alongside protecting the rights of women and children, elderly people and religious minorities.Hasina urged them to come out of their colonial mentality and said her government would reorganize the Bangladesh police using modern technology.Regarding the various demands raised by police officials, including that of forming a separate division under the Home Ministry, Hasina said some five Grade-1 posts have been created in the police with two officials already in place in that position, while the rest three would be upgraded to that post. “The number of Grade-1 posts in the police will be raised gradually.”
