Killers won't be spared
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the trial of the killers of Awami League lawmaker Manzurul Islam Liton would surely be held as the murder of any MP or elected public representative can never be tolerated.
“Killing an elected public representative in such a way can never be allowed and the trial of this killing will definitely be held in Bangladesh. I have already directed the law enforcement agencies to hunt down the killers,” she said.
The PM was addressing a public meeting in Rangpur through videoconferencing from the Gono Bhaban. People from Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat joined the programme, reports UNB.
The programme was arranged as part of the government's nationwide campaign against terrorism and militancy.
The PM said Liton had been vocal against Jamaat-Shibir and had put up resistance against them. The lawmaker had provided security to the people of his neighbourhood, she added.
She said Jamaat-Shibir men and criminals had carried out mayhem and vandalism over the January 5, 2014 national polls. They had torched hundreds of houses and offices, beaten policemen to death, vandalised and torched the house of a female vice-chairman. “But Liton at that time stood against those crimes.”
Hasina also called upon all to stay alert so that terrorism and militancy can never take root in Bangladesh.
“Everybody will have to be vocal against terrorism and militancy as such activities can never bring peace. Islam is a religion of solidarity and peace, and there is no place for terrorism and militancy in Islam.”
She sought cooperation from people, public representatives and the administration so that the ongoing development projects can be completed smoothly.
Blasting the former BNP-Jamaat government for closing community clinics, the premier said no one would be able to shut those in future.
About the drive to attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the PM said her government was making special efforts so that development can be ensured from the grassroots for a sustainable progress.
The PM enquired about the progress of the cases filed in connection with the killings of four policemen during the BNP-Jamaat's agitation in 2013.
She alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia had tried to oust the current government in 2015 as she announced that she would not to return home without unseating the government.
Hasina elaborated various development programmes being implemented by her government across the Rangpur division. She said Monga has already been stamped out from the country's northern region.
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and lawmakers of Rangpur division were present at the Gono Bhaban.
Meanwhile, speaking at a joint meeting of the Awami League Central Working Committee and its Advisory Council at her official residence in the afternoon, the PM reiterated that Liton's killers must be hunted down.
She alleged that Khaleda like her husband always pampers criminals and patronises them. She urged people to remain alert against the BNP's motives and moves.
About her government's three years in power, Hasina said it is running the country very successfully and the development has been under progress.
She said the AL would prepare topics for its January 11 meeting with President Abdul Hamid on the formation of the Election Commission.
BSS adds: Hasina also criticised a section of the media for "helping Jamaat-Shibir shape their ploy to kill Liton through their constant move to portray him as a rude person".
Jamaat-Shibir had been making constant attempts to kill him as he put up resistance against the evil force when they unleashed a reign of terror in the area following the trial of the war criminals, she said.
"Instead of focusing on the danger and repeated attempt on his life, the media branded him as a naughty person centering on an incident of firing by him to save his life but unfortunately injuring a nine-year-old boy at Sundarganj in 2015," she said.
"At that time, Jamaat-Shibir men were lying in ambush to kill him. But he luckily survived by firing in self-defence. But the media never focused on the fact," the prime minister added.
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