Killers, oppressors shouldn't be brought to power: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, yesterday, urged all to remain alert so that BNP-Jamaat clique cannot return to power as they were engaged in killings, creating militants and serial bomb blasts.

“The power of the country must not be given to these killers, oppressors and militants, especially those who hurled bombs in 500 places, and killed two MPs,” she said.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a function organised to hand over financial assistance to the family members of the 69 people killed and injured in the August 21 grenade attack on a rally held at Bangabandhu Avenue in protest against terrorism in 2004.

She also said the BNP-Jamaat nexus never believes in the existence of Bangladesh and its independence.

Sheikh Hasina, the chief of Awami League, said the then BNP-Jamaat government was behind the grenade attack on her rally that left 24 people dead and several hundred injured.

Hasina said the aim of the grenade attack was just to eliminate a party. “It was the aim of BNP, and we want justice,” she said.

The PM said Khaleda Zia was the Prime Minister at that time, and her son and two of her cabinet colleagues were involved in the heinous attack.

Recalling the misrule of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, she said there were 19 coups in the army at that time.

Seeking cooperation of people in advancing the country further, Hasina said, “We want to build the country in such a way where there will be peace and prosperity.”

The Premier said those who provided patronage to anti-liberation forces and war criminals cannot ensure development and advancement of the country.

Recalling the horrors of the grenade attack, Hasina said police did not come forward to help the victims. “Instead, they tortured the leaders and workers of Awami League while they were trying to join the rescue work.”

Not only that, she said, the then BNP government also staged Judge Mia drama to divert attention to a different direction, she said.

About Khaleda's imprisonment, Hasina said the BNP leader was put in jail following a court verdict after 10 years of filing the case as she was convicted for misappropriation of orphans' money.

The Prime Minister wondered how a leader who is being punishment for misappropriation of money can be termed as 'mother of democracy'.

She mentioned that Tarique Rahman has also been convicted in two cases for his involvement in corruption as well as money laundering. Her government brought that money back from Singapore, Hasina added.

Hasina reiterated her resolve that no one in the country will live without food, shelter and other basic needs.

Cheques of financial assistance were also handed over to noted film actress Maya Ghosh and former central leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League Mosharraf Hossain.