Govt to go tough to tackle militancy: PM

Expressing her firm resolve to eliminate militancy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today warned that her government would be very tough to stamp out the demon from the country.

"We would be very tough and do whatever is necessary to eliminate militancy...we must combat the manmade disasters along with natural calamities," she said.

The Prime Minister issued the warning while exchanging Eid greetings with the officials of the Prime Minister's Office and reviewing the projects being implemented under the PMO here this morning.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

The Premier said she always banks on the people and is working with their trust. "So, the spirit of the war of liberation could not be destroyed and trial of war criminals could not be stopped by unleashing terrorism and militancy as the people are always against the twin monsters," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also urged the countrymen to keep a sharp vigilance on the militancy and terrorism. "We will also have to make the people aware of militancy and terrorism and take the country forward by facing these social menaces," she said.

The Prime Minister called upon all to form committees at district, upazila and union levels to resist terrorism and militancy. "Sermon against terrorism and militancy will have to be delivered at the mosques regularly," she said.

Referring to the Gulshan cafe attack, the Premier said such incidents happened even in developed countries as it is now a global problem.

In this connection, she mentioned the names of France, the UK, Belgium, Japan, India and other countries where such attacks were made.

The Prime Minister said when the country is marching forward in every sector and has become a role model on the world stage such incidents are being perpetrated to tarnish the image of the country.

She said some elements are killing people by shunning the path of practising religion. "We didn't think that some educated people would be fanatics," she said.

Shiekh Hasina called upon the teachers and guardians to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned if any student remained missing.

She also said the international community will have to be more vocal against terrorism and militancy. She also called for finding out the teachers who are patronizing militancy in the country.

Taking a swipe at a section of media for not appreciating the government for its successful commando operation in Gulshan cafe, she said rather they are criticizing the government in this regard.

She said the commandos comprising army, navy and air force personnel, and the Police, BGB, RAB and other law enforcement agencies promptly launched the successful operation at Holey Artizan Bakery and rescued 13 persons including foreigners.

She congratulated all concerned for carrying out the successful commando operation.

Sheikh Hasina also criticized the human rights organizations, saying that they don't bring to the notice of the authorities concerned when persons go missing voluntarily.

Describing the countrymen as liberal-minded, the Premier said the people of all faiths are living in the country in a harmonious environment.

"What type of persons they are?" she said of those who launched the dastardly attacks on Gulshan cafe and near the Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj by skipping Esha and Tarabih prayers and Eid prayers.

Sheikh Hasina said it was BNP-Jamaat who sowed the seeds of terrorism and militancy in the country.

She said the BNP-Jamaat terrorists killed 24 Awami League leaders and activists by carrying out grisly grenade attack on Bangabandhu Avenue. "Such brutal attack was made on me though I was a former prime minister and the leader of the opposition," she said.

"They were involved in the killing of SAMS Kibria and Ahsanullah Master as well as sychronized bomb blasts that took place at 500 places across the country during their misrule," she said.

Highlighting the government's various successes in socioeconomic sector, Sheikh Hasina said these achievements have been possible due to government's policy and determination.

The Prime Minister asked the officials concerned to complete the work of the projects being implemented under the PMO at a faster pace.

Advisers to the Prime Minister and the Principal Secretary and senior officials of the PMO were present.

Source: BSS