PM calls for people's support

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought greater cooperation of people and information from them in tackling militancy and terrorism more effectively.

"We've taken quicker decisions [against terrorism and militancy] than European countries and America…we've been able to face any incident whenever it happened…we've proven that. So, we need more cooperation and awareness of people," she said.

Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, said this while inaugurating a blood donation programme organised by Bangladesh Krishak League on the premises of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road No 32 in the capital.

She said the government needs more information about the whereabouts of militants and terrorists to stamp them out from the country. "There'll be no place for militants, terrorists and killers on the soil of this country," Hasina asserted.

The PM also said there will be no room for the politics of killing, coup and conspiracy in Bangladesh. "We won't allow anyone to play any game with the fate of the country and its people," she warned.

About militancy and terrorism in the country, Hasina alleged that these are new menaces introduced by the BNP-Jamaat clique as they are anti-liberation and independence forces. "Whenever we caught anyone and dug deep, we found that those were created by anti-liberation forces Razakars and Al-Badr or their companions."

After the assassination of Bangabandhu, the Awami League chief said there was a wild drive to erase the real history of the country and its struggle for independence.

"There was an effort to make people blind about the real history of the country and there was an attempt to make people confused. Our struggle for the Liberation War, the history of the victory had been contaminated completely," she said.

Hasina mentioned that a couple of generations of the country had remained unaware of the country's real history. "After the return of Awami League to power after 21 years, the people of the country started listening to the historical speeches of Bangabandhu on radio and television channels. But, the conspiracy against the people was there and it's still there," she said.

About Bangabandhu's assassination, she said the conspirators had thought that they will be able to erase his name from the hearts of the people.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and Health Minister Mohammad Nasim also spoke on the occasion.                

Krishak League President Motahar Hossain Molla chaired the programme.