Operation to continue in Satkhira to restore law and order: PM

SATKHIRA, Jan 20 (UNB): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Monday that the ongoing joint forces' operation in the district will continue until the elimination of the militants and terrorists, who are attacking the minority and pro-Awami League people, to restore law and order.
"We'll ensure the security of this area. We're taking effective steps so that these kinds of activities could not recur here," she said while distributing cheques among the family members of the victims of 'BNP-Jamaat terrorist activities' in the district from February 28 last year.
Sheikh Hasina said such steps will continue in the future as the government is committed to eliminate militancy and terrorism from the country.
Accusing the BNP-Jamaat nexus is of destructive politics, she said:
"They are engaged in militancy and terrorism."
She said the culprits involved in the killing of people and destroying their homes and business establishments will be tracked down wherever they take shelter.
In an emotion-charged voice, the Prime Minister said she will always remain with the people and "Satkhira will be freed from terrorism by any means."
She warned that the government will no longer tolerate any violence by BNP-Jamaat. "The BNP-Jamaat will continue their atrocities on the people and we will remain silent, it won't happen," she said.
Mentioning that the participation of the people is a must for any movement, Hasina said: "There was no participation of the people in the so-called movement of BNP-Jamaat."
Regarding the attacks on the minority people, she said: "BNP is saying that the people did not vote in the January 5 polls. But they are making attacks on the minority people for casting vote in the election."
She said that the aim of her government is to establish peace. "But BNP-Jamaat cannot accept our efforts. That's why they are resorting to sabotage and militancy."
The Prime Minister said a huge number of people were killed or affected due to the "venom of revenge spread by BNP-Jamaat who committed the crime in the name of politics."
She mentioned that a list of the affected people is being prepared and they would be given necessary assistance as per the list.  Besides, initiatives have been taken to re-build houses of the affected people.
A heart-rending scene was created when the Prime Minister was handing over cheques among the members of the families who fall victim of recent atrocities in the district.
The victims broke into tears when they were receiving the cheques from Sheikh Hasina who embraced them as a gesture of consolation.