Youths should play key role against militancy

Speakers at a conference yesterday said that youths should play a pioneering role in accelerating social movement against militancy.

Society will change if this generation can educate themselves and come forward to build a militancy-free society, they said.

They were addressing the Youth Leadership Conference organised by Torun Alo (Light of Youth), a project of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), supported by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), at BIAM auditorium in Cox's Bazar.

Speaking at the programme, the daily Prothom Alo's Associate Editor Anisul Hoque called upon the youth to enlighten themselves by reading books and upholding the culture of Bangladesh.

He said, reading books and upholding the culture can ignite patriotism among youths -- that will help the country move forward.

Abdul Mannan, deputy commissioner (DC) of Counter Terrorism and Trans-national Crime unit of police, warned against sudden change in behaviour including religious extremism and asked all to stay alert against militancy.

He also called upon all to prevent militancy by following the right path of religion and cultural heritage of Bangladesh.

Chairing the event, Executive Director of MJF Shaheen Anam said evil forces were conspiring to establish militancy at a time when the nation was progressing, by committing terrorism like the Holey Artisan attack. Their intention was to stunt the country's progress, she added.

She praised the law enforcers and said that their prompt action and efforts have foiled all conspiracies by the militants.

Shaheen Anam also praised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, which has accelerated development of the nation.

Tashaddek Dulu moderated the conference, while MJF Programme Coordinator Khandaker Rezwana Karim, presented the welcome note.