No room for militancy: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday said the nation had witnessed savagery of militancy in the guise of anti-quota movement, reiterating her vow that there would be no room for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh.

"There would be no room for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh. Their main strength Jamaat-e-Islami and Shibir will be banned under section 18 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009," she said, reports BSS.

The prime minister once again sought cooperation from the United Nations (UN) and other countries through their expertise to probe every incident during the countrywide mayhem to expose the perpetrators to justice.

She made the remarks as the chief guest at a voluntary blood donation programme at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the city's Farmgate area. A discussion was also held there.

Bangladesh Krishak League (BKL) organised the programme ahead of the National Mourning Day to be observed on August 15.

Sheikh Hasina, also President of the ruling Awami League (AL), alerted the countrymen that Jamaat and Shibir would go underground and continue their destructive acts after being banned.

"We all in unison have to face them. Everyone will have to be alert to this end and I seek cooperation from the countrymen," she said.

The prime minister said she knew attempts on her life might come time and again like the previous occasions.

"But, I don't care. Allah has given the life and He will also take it away. I will do whatever required for the welfare of the people," she said.

Referring to the deaths of many people and destruction of public property in the recent violence, she said, "The militants have shown their fangs in guise of quota movement."

The prime minister said she knew the pain of losing near and dear ones as she lost everything on August 15 in 1975.

"So, I want investigation into every single thing (of the mayhem) to find out who are behind those and how and what incidents have taken place," she said.

She also said her government formed a one-member judicial probe commission to investigate death of six persons in the recent violence.

Later, the commission was extended to three members with expanding its periphery as a larger number of incidents took place after formation of it, she added.

Sheikh Hasina also called on the UN to send their experts to probe every matter.

"If any country wants, they can also send experts. I want fair investigation into the matters. Punishment will have to be taken against those who are responsible for that," she said.

The prime minister said they would not tolerate anymore the destruction of the property they built.

The countrywide mayhem was carried out to tarnish the image of Bangladesh abroad, she also said.

AL's Advisory Council Member Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, and Agriculture and Cooperative Affairs Secretary Faridur Nahar Laily, among others, spoke on the occasion.

BKL President Samir Chanda presided over the event moderated by General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti.

At the outset of the programme, one-minute silence was observed as a mark of showing glowing tributes to the martyrs of the August 15, 1975.

A milad and doa mahfil was held at the end of the programme to seek eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15, 1975 martyrs and the deceased who lost lives in the recent violence.

Sheikh Hasina said the militants from around Dhaka carried out killings one the one hand and one the other hand, launched destruction of the public establishments built for welfare of the people.

She said the militants damaged and torched BTV Bhaban, Setu Bhaban, BTRC Bhaban, metrorail, toll plazas of expressway and Hanif Flyover, Covid-19 hospital, a water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant, and many other establishments.

The violence claimed lives of many people of different professions that include policemen and journalists, she said, adding the militants even hanged police and an AL activist after they killed them.

She continued that the perpetrators even conducted searches for the police and AL leaders and activists to attack them during the widespread mayhem.

"What kind of movement it was?" she questioned, added, "Who will shoulder the responsibilities of the deaths?"

The Prime Minister came down heavily for continuing the movement though all the demands are met.

"What logic is there to continue the movement when cent percent demands are met? Why the movement continues and in whose interest?" she said.

The Prime Minister said now some intellectuals are supporting the movement.