PM calls on 'misguided militants' to return to normal life

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed a special Independence Day message for 'misguided militants', promising them government support for rehabilitation if they give up violence.

But she reaffirmed her government’s tough stand on fighting militancy and warned that counter-terrorism operations would continue relentlessly.

The prime minister was speaking at a children's rally at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to mark the Independence Day.

“We are conducting operations against militancy, terrorism and narcotics, and we will continue to treat these issues firmly.”

As the prime minister spoke on Sunday, armed forces were conducting an operation on a militant hideout in Sylhet.

Six, including two policemen, were killed in two separate explosions on Saturday night during the operation, which began at the early hours of Friday.

Another two, including the RAB intelligence chief, have been critically injured.

In the past ten days a suspected suicide bomber attacked a RAB checkpost in the capital and an explosion has killed a suspect carrying a bomb at a police box in front of Dhaka airport.

The prime minister promised militants willing to give up violence and return to normal life with full government support for rehabilitation.

“I call on those who have gone astray to return to the true path. The government will help them rebuild their lives. We cannot let them drift into suicide, militancy and terrorism."

 The prime minister also urged vigilance regarding the spread of militancy and terrorism among students.
“We want our children to study hard, listen to their parents and teachers and not become involved with drugs, militancy or terrorism.”

Law enforcement officials have regularly said that false interpretations of religion have been used to ensnare normal citizens in militancy,

“Remember one thing – Islam is a religion of peace, solidarity and brotherhood,” said Hasina addressing all the assembled students. “Islam has never told anyone to kill. In fact it considers suicide to be a grave sin. Those who commit suicide can never go to heaven and must remain in hell.”

The prime minister urged everyone to ensure that the spirit of Bangladesh’s independence and its Liberation War live on, and that its progress is not hindered.

“Through everyone’s hard work, we must create a good life for our children so that they become good and true human beings … today’s youth will be the ones to build the golden Bangladesh dreamt of by the father of the nation.”

 “I am the prime minister today,” she told the students. “In the future, one of you will be the prime minister.”
Hasina called all to work in tandem to build a ‘beautiful Bangladesh’ for the next generation.

At the beginning of the programme the prime minister was welcomed by Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozzamel Haq.

The prime minister then raised the national flag to the singing of the national anthem and reviewed a march past by children.

Afterwards Hasina was treated to displays by the students.

Source: bdnews24