Democratic process can\\\'t be imposed from outside, says Shahriar

State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, now in Bali, said the Bangladesh government strongly believes that democracy and development must go hand in hand for the betterment of people, reports UNB.
He, however, said the democratic process must emerge from within the society itself and cannot be imposed from outside.
"It shall be home-grown one," Shahriar said participating in a general debate on the theme of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum 'Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation, and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century' held in a convention centre in Bali, Indonesia Friday.
Mr Alam, who led the Bangladesh delegation to the Forum, said it was Bangladesh's aspiration for democracy that had fuelled its long political struggle for self-determination and independence, according to a message received from the foreign ministry Saturday.
"It's our strong faith in democracy that made our people reject successive autocratic regimes and restore a functioning parliamentary democracy through free, fair and impartial election," he said.
The state minister said the government worked hard to pave the way for a seamless transition from one elected government to the other by upholding the people's right to vote.
BSS adds from Thakurgaon: State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said today the BNP-Jamaat's anti-government movement would not be successful due to lack of people's involvement.
"If they create anarchy, kill people and resort to arsons, we will not sit idle. The law enforcement agencies are much stronger than before. They will play their due roles," he said while talking to journalists at the Thakurgaon Circuit House auditorium here.
The state minister said the current parliament has been elected for five years as per the constitution and there is no possibility of midterm polls in the country.
The incumbent government will be in office for five years, he asserted.
Dabirul Islam, MP, Prof Yasin Ali, MP, Selina Jahan Lita, MP, Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Chandra Biswas, Deputy Inspector General of Police in Rangpur division Humayun Kabir and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Thakurgaon Sector Commander Col Akram Hossain were present on the occasion.
The state minister expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh.
He said a peaceful situation has been prevailing along the borders at the moment. The Indian Border Security Force (BSF) is not using lethal weapons and problems are being resolved through flag meetings, he added.