Govt showing tolerance for the sake of democracy: PM

Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina today said her government is showing tolerance for the sake of the continuation of democracy in the country and blamed the opposition for resorting to violence across the country, reports BSS. "The anti-liberation elements with the support of the defeated forces in the 2008 general elections are trying to create an unstable situation in the country by resorting to violence across the country," she said. The PM made the remarks while inaugurating the five-day SME Fair 2011 Tuesday at Bangabandhu Inter-national Conference Centre (BICC) in the city. Sheikh Hasina said the accused in looting and money-laundering as well as the anti-liberation elements and patrons of militancy have become united to impede the country's development. "Whatever efforts are made, the trials of war criminals, money launderers and money embezzlers of the orphanage must be held in the country," she said. She said what is wrong if the government takes action against the people who were engaged in money laundering, looting, embezzling funds of an orphanage and other evil deeds. "Even an FBI agent gave her testimony to the money laundering during the BNP regime. It was a shame for the whole nation, " she said, adding if the government does not take action against such misdeeds, how the country will advance? Referring to Sunday's incidents, the Prime Minister said: "What was the reason behind such activities? Election is the best way to change any government through democratic process." In this connection, she said all by-polls and local government body elections under the present government were held in a free and fair manner, and in many cases, the ruling party-backed candidates were defeated.