They urged all to be united in combating terrorists and corrupted people.

The roundtable on ' Terrorism and corruption in Bangladesh: Role of government and civil society' was organised by Projonma Academy, a non-government organisation, at the National Press Club in the city.

The speakers said strict enforcement of laws is also needed to curb terrorism and corruption.

They said eradication of poverty and illiteracy can ensure peace and development.

"Lack of tolerance among the ruling parties and the oppositions is the main obstacle to make parliament effective," said Prof AKM Shahidullah, chairman of political science department of Dhaka University, while presenting the keynote paper.

He said members of the civil society could play a vital role in creating pressure on the government to combat terrorism and corruption.

Presiding over the dialogue, Prof Dr M Ataur Rahman urged all members of the civil society to be united ignoring individual differences to fight corruption and terrorism.

He called upon the government to open criminology department at the university level so that students may learn how to eliminate corruption and terrorism.

"We have already expanded the activities of Speedy Trial Tribunals and Rapid Action Battalions to eliminate terrorism, and we hope that peace will be restored in the society soon," said Law Minister Moudud Ahmed.

He said the government has also set up an independent anti-corruption commission for finding out the corrupted people including government officials.

General Secretary of Islamic Party Abdul Mobin, General Manager of Inqilab Group Abdul Kader, and Editor of weekly Rabibar Syed Tosharaf Ali also spoke.