They also said that nuclear technology should be used only for civilian purposes, not for military purposes.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) and Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) jointly organised the discussion on 'Impacts of nuclear weapons on health & environment: Hiroshima to Bangladesh' at the National Press Club in the city to mark Hiroshima Day.

"The demand for electricity is increasing day by day. We should set up more power plants to meet the growing demand. We will benefit if we decide to set up nuclear power plants for this purpose," said Anwar Hossain, former chairman of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

He said research should be conducted on how to set up nuclear power plants, which generate more electricity than other types of power plants.

Bapa President Prof Muzaffer Ahmad urged all South Asian countries to declare South Asia a nuclear weapon-free zone and launch a campaign to rid the world of nuclear weapons by 2020.

Former ambassador Waliur Rahman demanded that budgetary allocation for the health sector be increased to ensure 'Health for all' and include the topic of nuclear non-proliferation in the curriculum of preventive and social medicine.

PSR President Dr Kamrul Hasan Khan, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanam and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Chief Editor Jaglul Ahmed Chowdhury also spoke.