Be united to uproot militancy, terrorism: Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged all to remain united so that war criminals, killers, looters and embezzlers of orphans' money can never come to power, report agencies.

"My urge to you all, war criminals, killers, embezzlers of orphans' money and looters could never come to power and push the country towards of the path of destruction, I'm requesting you all to remain united," she said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a big public rally at historic Suhrawardy Udyan on Wednesday. Awami League organised the rally marking the historic March 7, commemorating the historic speech of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.

Many activists of Awami League and its front organisations carrying 'boat', the party's election symbol, at the historic March 7 rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital on Wednesday — Focus Bangla

Bangladesh is observing March 7 this year with renewed pride as UNESCO has recognised Bangabandhu's speech as part of world heritage.

On this day in 1971, the independence leader delivered an inspiring speech at the then Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka, effectively declaring the Liberation War against Pakistan.

She said the people of the country believe in independence, spirit of the Liberation War, and development of the country and its people.

Sheikh Hasina said the culprits who were involved in crimes against the humanity, genocide, looting, arson, rape, and handed over the country's women to Pakistani occupational forces must not be in power.

The Prime Minister said those who were involved in embezzling orphans' money, siphoning off public money, killing people through arson attacks, in the murder of 27 law enforcement personnel should be kept out of power forever. "If they come to power, they'll force the country towards the path of destruction," she said.

She also urged the people of the country to remain united for advancing the country imbued with the spirit of the great Liberation War.