Hasina rules out possibility of declaring emergency

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ruled out any chances of declaring a state of emergency though a violent blockade by the BNP and allies has been going on for a month, report agencies.

Dispelling the widespread speculations that the government might go for an alternative way to overcome the current crisis in the country, Sheikh Hasina told the parliament: "Hoping for an emergency rule is daydreaming".

"Those who are dreaming, those who want to lead the country to destruction, we will never let them do this as long as blood runs through our veins," she asserted.

"No one has been able to create a situation that calls for emergency," the prime minister noted.

"Why is (the state of) emergency needed? No one could have created a situation here which demands the declaration of emergency," she said.

The Prime Minister was responding to a supplementary question from opposition chief whip Tajul Islam Chowdhury during PM's question-answer session in the Parliament.

She said law enforcement agencies are working to contain the present destructive activities of the BNP-Jamaat alliance. "People are with us…we'll surely be able to overcome the situation. Anarchists have no public support…they're terrorists."

Pointing at the 2007 unconstitutional situation when a state of emergency had been declared, Hasina said the government will not put the country in that situation again.

"People are also not looking for that (emergency) , if anyone wants to do that people will come up to resist…there's no doubt about it.  At least, we won't do that as long as the blood will run through our veins," she told the House amid thumping of desks by MPs both from the treasury and opposition benches.

Hasina said, "BNP forgets one thing. Some people make phone calls. It's just coming... Emergency is coming. Why shall we need emergency rule?"

"The law-enforcing agencies are there. We know how to tackle such terrorism. People are with us," she said.

She noted that the 15th Amendment to the Constitution included a provision of capital punishment for usurping power.

Speaking about backgrounds of emergency rule declared several times, the Leader of House said, "Mr Iajuddin (Ahmed) could declare emergency because he held the positions of the Chief Advisor to the then caretaker government and the president, too."

"If emergency were to be declared now, the Prime Minister will have to write to the President. Then the President will be able to declare emergency," she said.

On the government's steps to take the situation under control, Hasina said, "We can establish good governance, keep the situation under our control, and take steps to safeguard lives and property.