Children of anti-liberation elements not to get govt jobs: Shajahan

CHATTOGRAM, May 17 (UNB) - Stressing that the children of anti-liberation elements have no patriotism, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan said on Thursday they will not be allowed to join government jobs.

"The progress of a country depends on political stability, infrastructural development and patriotism. The children of anti-liberation elements have no patriotism. They won't get government jobs," he said.

The minister was addressing a function marking the inauguration of a rail-mounted gantry crane at jetty-5 of New Mooring Container Terminal of Chittagong port.

Shajahan Khan said those leading the quota reform movement are misleading general students. "Conspirators have made the students launch the quota reform movement," he said.

He also claimed that Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir first initiated the movement against the quota system in 2004.

Shajahan said the Bay Terminal and the Patenga Container Terminal will go into operation in 2020.

Mentioning that Chittagong port ranks 71 among 100 busiest container ports across the world, he said they want to bring it on the list of 10 best ones.

The minister also inaugurated nine equipment, river mooring jetty-3 and a safety tower.

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mahbubul Alam underlined the need for starting dredging as soon as possible to save the Karnaphuli and resolving the crisis of jetty and lighter vessels at the port.