Motia blames BNP-Jamaat govt for rise of militancy
Monday, 30 March 2009
FE Report
Agriculture Minister Begum Motia Chowdhury Sunday blamed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its major electoral ally Jamaat-e-Islami for the rise of Islamic militancy in the country.
"During the tenure of BNP-Jamaat coalition government various militant outfits, including JMB (Jamaa'tul Mujahideen Bangladesh) grouped with direct backing by the authorities," the influential minister told reporters in the city.
Motia said her government would root out militant groups from the country by engaging the people and she urged the private sector to work towards that goal.
"The NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) should create awareness among the people, mostly in the rural areas, so that they cannot be misguided by outfits who use religion for militancy," she said.
She was speaking at a ceremony at the National Museum marking British charity ActionAid's 25 years of intervention in Bangladesh. The London-based NGO started its journey in the country at Charfashion Upazila in Bhola in 1983.
ActionAid Bangladesh country director Farah Kabir moderated the function. Former chief executive of ActionAid UK Ronald Hudson and its international representative William John Armstrong were present.
Reflecting on the achievement of the Awami League government, Matia said they have managed to bring down the prices of food items after introducing a market "management system" which was not seen in the past seven years.
"We did not have the magic lamp of Aladdin. But what we have is a management system that worked well to bring the prices of essentials down," she added.
Motia said the government has also reduced the prices of fertilizer and the farmers in the past few months did not have to launch protests or be killed by law enforcers to press demand for urea.
She emphasized the need of dredging rivers to offset devastation of frequent floods and help improve the livelihood of the people who live in the char (shoal) areas.
"Due to the climate change, flood has become more devastating and more frequent in the country. If the country's major rivers are dredged regularly the magnitude of the disaster will be less," Matia said.
"I hope NGOs like ActionAid will focus on these issues," she added.
Former adviser of the caretaker government Sultana Kamal also spoke on the occasion, stressing proper utilization of Bangladesh resources to ensure socio-economic empowerment of the people.
Agriculture Minister Begum Motia Chowdhury Sunday blamed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its major electoral ally Jamaat-e-Islami for the rise of Islamic militancy in the country.
"During the tenure of BNP-Jamaat coalition government various militant outfits, including JMB (Jamaa'tul Mujahideen Bangladesh) grouped with direct backing by the authorities," the influential minister told reporters in the city.
Motia said her government would root out militant groups from the country by engaging the people and she urged the private sector to work towards that goal.
"The NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) should create awareness among the people, mostly in the rural areas, so that they cannot be misguided by outfits who use religion for militancy," she said.
She was speaking at a ceremony at the National Museum marking British charity ActionAid's 25 years of intervention in Bangladesh. The London-based NGO started its journey in the country at Charfashion Upazila in Bhola in 1983.
ActionAid Bangladesh country director Farah Kabir moderated the function. Former chief executive of ActionAid UK Ronald Hudson and its international representative William John Armstrong were present.
Reflecting on the achievement of the Awami League government, Matia said they have managed to bring down the prices of food items after introducing a market "management system" which was not seen in the past seven years.
"We did not have the magic lamp of Aladdin. But what we have is a management system that worked well to bring the prices of essentials down," she added.
Motia said the government has also reduced the prices of fertilizer and the farmers in the past few months did not have to launch protests or be killed by law enforcers to press demand for urea.
She emphasized the need of dredging rivers to offset devastation of frequent floods and help improve the livelihood of the people who live in the char (shoal) areas.
"Due to the climate change, flood has become more devastating and more frequent in the country. If the country's major rivers are dredged regularly the magnitude of the disaster will be less," Matia said.
"I hope NGOs like ActionAid will focus on these issues," she added.
Former adviser of the caretaker government Sultana Kamal also spoke on the occasion, stressing proper utilization of Bangladesh resources to ensure socio-economic empowerment of the people.