UNB, Dhaka :
Reaffirming her government’s tough stance against terrorism, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the law enforcement agencies to take prompt steps whenever necessary as they did in tackling subversive acts committed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance for three months since early this year.
“The BNP-led 20-party alliance could do nothing even after waging a movement for long…they’ve failed miserably. I’ll ask you (law enforcement agencies) to always take prompt steps the way you did last time so that no one could burn people to death and cause damage and militant acts can remerge,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while delivering her introductory speech at a meeting of senior officials of the Home Ministry and other organisations under it at Bangladesh Secretariat. This was her second visit to the ministry after March 13 last year through assuming office for the third time.
Noting that the major challenge before the government is to curb terrorism and
militancy, she said militancy has now shaped in two forms-one is professional militants and another is the BNP-Jamaat led 20-party alliance ones.
“We’ll have to curb arson and vandalism on one hand and terrorism on the other,” she said adding that the law enforcement agencies have successfully tackled these in recent times.
Mentioning that the number of members of different law enforcement agencies in the country is still lower compared its huge population, Hasina reiterated that her government would appoint 50,000 more police personnel and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite the process.
The BNP-Jamaat after taking power in 2001, she alleged, had patronised terrorists and militants for which many untoward incidents including 10-truck arms haul case occurred. “But, whenever we’ve assumed office we’ve curbed these elements with an iron hand. We don’ t want anyone to use our land as a route for drug smuggling and trafficking.”
Mentioning that Bangladesh’s geographical location is like a bridge between the East and the West. “So it’s necessary to maintain a peaceful environment here and ensure the security of those who will come from abroad and thus brighten the country’s image globally.”
Terming it very much unfortunate that Bangladesh had been turned into a country of terrorists and militants during the BNP-Jamaat rule, she said her government has erased that bad name and established Bangladesh as a role model of development in the international arena.
Turning to mindless hartal and blockade enforced by the BNP for 92 days, Hasina said the BNP is yet to withdraw the blockade although it has no effectiveness. “I don’t know… may be they’re ashamed of withdrawing it.”
Hasina said, there could be no such heinous act than burning people to death or burn people alive by a political party or political outfit.
Renewing her strong stance against these culprits, she said, “Those involved in such subversive acts anywhere must have to be brought to justice. Their punishment should have to be ensured so that none could dare in future to repeat such acts.”
“We’ll have to address this issue with a tough stance as there’s no mercy. They must get punishment, otherwise it won’t be possible to control it,” she said adding that her government has also gained success in containing eve-teasing and acid attacks.
“You’ll have to take proper steps to curb ‘fire terrorism’,” Hasina directed the concerned law enforcement agencies adding that the sensitive cases like the August 21 grenade attack, 10-truck arms haul case should have to be resolved.
Reaffirming her government’s tough stance against terrorism, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the law enforcement agencies to take prompt steps whenever necessary as they did in tackling subversive acts committed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance for three months since early this year.
“The BNP-led 20-party alliance could do nothing even after waging a movement for long…they’ve failed miserably. I’ll ask you (law enforcement agencies) to always take prompt steps the way you did last time so that no one could burn people to death and cause damage and militant acts can remerge,” she said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks while delivering her introductory speech at a meeting of senior officials of the Home Ministry and other organisations under it at Bangladesh Secretariat. This was her second visit to the ministry after March 13 last year through assuming office for the third time.
Noting that the major challenge before the government is to curb terrorism and
militancy, she said militancy has now shaped in two forms-one is professional militants and another is the BNP-Jamaat led 20-party alliance ones.
“We’ll have to curb arson and vandalism on one hand and terrorism on the other,” she said adding that the law enforcement agencies have successfully tackled these in recent times.
Mentioning that the number of members of different law enforcement agencies in the country is still lower compared its huge population, Hasina reiterated that her government would appoint 50,000 more police personnel and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite the process.
The BNP-Jamaat after taking power in 2001, she alleged, had patronised terrorists and militants for which many untoward incidents including 10-truck arms haul case occurred. “But, whenever we’ve assumed office we’ve curbed these elements with an iron hand. We don’ t want anyone to use our land as a route for drug smuggling and trafficking.”
Mentioning that Bangladesh’s geographical location is like a bridge between the East and the West. “So it’s necessary to maintain a peaceful environment here and ensure the security of those who will come from abroad and thus brighten the country’s image globally.”
Terming it very much unfortunate that Bangladesh had been turned into a country of terrorists and militants during the BNP-Jamaat rule, she said her government has erased that bad name and established Bangladesh as a role model of development in the international arena.
Turning to mindless hartal and blockade enforced by the BNP for 92 days, Hasina said the BNP is yet to withdraw the blockade although it has no effectiveness. “I don’t know… may be they’re ashamed of withdrawing it.”
Hasina said, there could be no such heinous act than burning people to death or burn people alive by a political party or political outfit.
Renewing her strong stance against these culprits, she said, “Those involved in such subversive acts anywhere must have to be brought to justice. Their punishment should have to be ensured so that none could dare in future to repeat such acts.”
“We’ll have to address this issue with a tough stance as there’s no mercy. They must get punishment, otherwise it won’t be possible to control it,” she said adding that her government has also gained success in containing eve-teasing and acid attacks.
“You’ll have to take proper steps to curb ‘fire terrorism’,” Hasina directed the concerned law enforcement agencies adding that the sensitive cases like the August 21 grenade attack, 10-truck arms haul case should have to be resolved.
