Normalcy returns soon after tough action: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured the Bangladesh business community of restoring normalcy with tougher actions against the perpetrators of arson and violence that warranted countrywide curfew and army deployment
In an exchange-of-views meeting with top business leaders at her office on Monday, the premier said the businessmen would be allowed to reopen factories after the phasing out of curfew in different areas.
However, she also told the entrepreneurs that they can reopen factories on their own responsibility.
But she made it clear that if anything bad would happen, the government wouldn't bear the responsibility.
Earlier, in their speeches, Mohammad Hatem, executive president of BKMEA, and Syed Nasim Manzoor, President of Bangladesh Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, requested the Prime Minister to take due steps towards the reopening of the factories from next day.
Narrating what went on at the height of the job-quota protests until the curfew was imposed, the Prime Minister in her speech deplored that 'the systematic and well-planned' attacks on key public installations were "perpetrated by the activists of Jammat and its student-outfit Islamic Chhatra Shibir with the backing of BNP".
In this connection she also made a mention of the name of Tarique Zia, and said, "A person convicted in the 10- truckload arms-smuggling case is instructing his party cadres from abroad."
She also observed that the establishments which are facilitating business activities and digital systems came under arson attack by the perpetrators in a planned manner so that the economy can be disrupted.
Sheikh Hasina told her business audience that the curfew was imposed to protect life and property.
"Many alleged that we deployed army against students but it is not true because we deployed army only after the announcements of the students that they were not associated with the arson attacks and they did condemn such attacks.
"As an activist of student politics during my student days since Dhaka University days, I know very well what the army does do," the premier said, adding: "We always believe in resolving any problem by exhaustive political means."
She told the business magnets that it was she who abolished the quota system in 2018 following demands from the students. "And when the High Court repealed my executive order, we filed appeal against that order," she added.
"In a nationwide address, I myself assured them of taking due steps to materialise their demands and urged them to keep patience until the Supreme Court verdict," the PM said, wondering why the students were continuing their protests instead of waiting for the Supreme Court verdict.
She also lamented that many in the business community expressed their support to the quota protesters but failed to convince them to stop the protest and wait for the court judgment."Weren't your businesses affected when they did continue their movement?" she asked.
Referring to wild rumours that the PM fled the country in the face of the protests, she quipped: 'Sheikh Hasina never flees.'
She also described how in the face of death threats following the killing of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib in 1975 she braved to arrive home after a 6-year-long relentless effort.
Hasina said since assuming power in 2009, she has always been proactive to create an environment conducive to business community as she believes that development of businesses is a must to ensure better way of life for people.
The Prime Minister mentioned that she had already directed the district administrations to recommend whether curfew can be withdrawn in their areas after assessing the ground situation in consultation with the law-enforcers.
Whenever the curfew is lifted in an area, factories will be able to resume operations there.
She also said frantic efforts were going on to restore internet services, and noted that the attack on the BTRC data centre was made intentionally in a bid to stall the digital operations in the country.
Earlier, the business leaders who addressed the programme pledged their unequivocal support to the leadership of the prime minister and felt that under her leadership the 'current crisis' can be overcome.
Former FBCCI President Salman F Rahman, now adviser to the PM on private investment and industry affairs, moderated the discussions. In his opening remark, he urged the business community to remain vocal against the perpetrators who carried out "unprecedented arson attacks and vandalism" across the country.
"Under the leadership of our Prime Minister, the country has emerged as a role model for development in front of the world," he opined.
BSS adds: The Prime Minister said the government as well as the protestors went to the country's apex court to settle the issue while she also assured the students they would get the justice there when the general students halted their street campaign but the violence erupted as the terrorists intruded in the scene.
"The students are very sensitive to us. We had to make sure that they are not hurt. We tried our best to ensure calm mobilizing police forces," the premier said.
But, she said, when the arson attack started, agitating students themselves said they were not involved in the misdeeds and condemned the mayhem and while the violence continued the army was called out eventually and enforce curfew to save the people life and property.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the businessmen as they stood against the atrocities and extended their wholehearted support to the government measures to bring normalcy to the country and take prompt action against those involved in the destruction.
"I thank you as you supported us for which we could take prompt and appropriate measures against the Shibir-Jamaat and BNP. They are terrorists and anarchists. Your support will help us improving the situation," she said hinting tougher actions awaited the miscreants.
The premier added: "We will do whatever required for doing your businesses properly".
At the onset of the meeting after Salman Rahman's welcome address a seven-minute visual documentary was shown describing the damages and torching of the installations like the central data centre, BTV, Setu Bhaban, toll plazas of the Elevated Expressway and Hannif Flyover, BTCL's underground cable lines and hundreds of government and private vehicles.
The businessmen who spoke were: FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, BGMEA President SM Mannan Kochi, BAB President Nazrul Islam Majumdar, Shop Owners's Association President Helal Uddin, BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem, Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh Syed Nasim Manzoor, Pran-RFL Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Basundhara Group Chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan

[email protected]