Stay alert against conspiracies: PM

BOGURA, Apr 20 (UNB): Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged the people of the country to remain vigilant, alleging that "clandestine forces" that do not believe in Bangladesh's existence and independence are conspiring to create unrest by misleading the public.
"Today, we sense the smell of conspiracy . . . You must remain united and alert against these conspirators," he said at a public rally organised by the BNP's Bogura district unit at the Altafunnessa playground.
Tarique Rahman, also the BNP chairman, said these forces have historically attempted to mislead the nation at different critical times, including before and after independence.
"These clandestine forces tried to confuse people during the election using similar tactics. They have once again started spreading confusion."

Despite repeatedly making it clear that the July National Charter-as signed by political parties at the South Plaza of Parliament-would be implemented fully word by word, some political parties have started making various remarks both inside and outside parliament to mislead people, he added.
"You must all remain alert against them. During the Liberation War, we saw how they tried to mislead the people. In the 1986 election, we saw how they attempted to confuse the nation. In 1996, we again saw how they joined hands with autocratic forces to mislead the people. And in 2008 as well, we saw how they aligned with the 1/11 regime to confuse people," said the prime minister.
He said BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, a son of Bogura, had proclaimed the country's independence in 1971.
"Today, we see those who are trying to mislead the people and create confusion over the July Charter. They did not believe in the independence of this country and they did not believe in its very existence. Can those who do not believe in the existence of this country be trusted? They cannot be trusted," he said. The prime minister said some political parties are trying to mislead people and create chaos across the country just as fallen autocrat Sheikh Hasina once said she would not allow Khaleda Zia's government to stay in peace even for a minute.
"The same ghost has now taken hold of this group (Jamaat). You can see how they talk about agitation and try to turn personal incidents into political issues - just like the Yasmin incident in Dinajpur, where a personal tragedy was given a political colour and unrest was created, leading to a 172-day hartal. You surely remember that," he said.
Referring to a recent incident of Mymensingh, Tarique Rahman said it was a minor personal matter involving a relationship and marriage between a young couple, along with family disputes.
However, he claimed, the same incident was deliberately given a political colour by a certain quarter in an attempt to create unrest in the country.
The Prime Minister alleged that those who are trying to mislead people over reforms, the July Charter and the Constitution do not speak about women's freedom or development.
Referring to a pre-election remark by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman opposing the Family Card scheme, Tarique Rahman said, "Did you not see what they were saying during the election-'keep your family card'? You remember that, don't you? They ignore the work that serves the people. Instead, they are now spreading confusion to secure power through conspiracy."
Calling upon all to stay united, the Prime Minister said the country's people have given BNP the mandate to implement its plans and the July Charter.
"It is now time to fulfil those commitments… I am your brother, your son. We have already started working to implement the plans we presented before the election. If I can do this as a son of Bogura, it will be a matter of pride for all of you," he told the crowd.
Tarique Rahman announced that work on the Bogura-Sirajganj rail line will begin soon.
Earlier, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Bogura City Corporation, upgrading the 150-year-old municipality to city corporation status.
He unveiled the plaque of Bogura City Corporation, marking its official launch as the 13th city corporation in the country.
The existing city corporations are Dhaka South, Dhaka North, Chattogram, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barishal, Sylhet, Narayanganj, Cumilla, Rangpur, Gazipur, and Mymensingh.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tarique Rahman said the long-standing demand of people has been fulfilled through the creation of the city corporation."You have had this demand for a long time. Today, with the establishment of the city corporation, that demand has been fulfilled."
Calling himself a son of Bogura, Tarique said he belongs to the people of Bogura like one of their own, but now the people of the entire country have entrusted him with national responsibility.
Bogura municipality, one of the oldest in northern Bangladesh, began its journey on 1 July 1876 during the British colonial period.
The Prime Minister also launched the excavation work on the Chowkidah canal at Nasipur by cutting soil with a spade.
Tarique Rahman also inaugurated an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign at Ziaur Rahman Gram Hospital in Bagbari of Gabtali upazila, and distributed Family Cards among women at the Shaheed Zia Degree College ground.