Take tough stance against terrorism

Reaffirming her government's tough stance against terrorism, Prime Minister (PM)  Sheikh Hasina asked the law enforcement agencies on Thursday to take prompt steps whenever necessary as they did in tackling subversive acts committed by the BNP-led 20-party alliance, reports UNB.
"The BNP-led 20-party alliance could do nothing even after waging a movement for long…they've failed miserably. I'll ask you (law enforcement agencies) to always take prompt steps the way you did last time so that no one could burn people to death and cause damage and militant acts can remerge," she said.
The PM made the remarks while speaking at a meeting with senior officials of the Home Ministry and other organisations under the ministry at Bangladesh Secretariat.
Noting that the major challenge before the government is to curb terrorism and militancy, she said militancy has now shaped in two forms -- one is professional militants and another is the BNP-Jamaat led 20-party alliance.
"We'll have to curb arson and vandalism on one hand and terrorism on the other," she said adding that the law enforcement agencies have successfully tackled these in recent times.
Mentioning that the number of members of different law enforcement agencies in the country is still low compared with the country's huge population, Hasina reiterated that her government would appoint 50,000 more police personnel and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to expedite the process.
Mentioning that Bangladesh's geographical location is like a bridge between the East and the West. "So it's necessary to maintain a peaceful environment here and ensure the security of those who will come from abroad and thus brighten the country's image globally."
Terming it very much unfortunate that Bangladesh had been turned into a country of terrorists and militants during the BNP-Jamaat rule, she said her government has erased that bad name and established Bangladesh as a role model of development in the international arena.
Turning to mindless hartal and blockade enforced by the BNP for 92 days, Hasina said the BNP is yet to withdraw the blockade although it has no effectiveness. "I don't know… may be they're ashamed of withdrawing it."
Hasina said there could be no such heinous act than burning people to death or burn people alive by a political party or outfit.