They must be identified

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said those who are tarnishing the image of the country's institutions by spreading propaganda must be identified.

While addressing the 19th founding anniversary of the Rab at the force's headquarters in the capital's Kurmitola, the PM said Bangladesh can judge who has done good or bad. "If anyone commits an offense, we must speak about it. Don't be upset hearing words from others. You'll have to move with a sense of self-esteem and self-confidence... ."

She asked law enforcement agencies to take proper action against cybercrimes.

"We'll have to be careful against cybercrimes and take action accordingly. I would like to tell all, including Rab and every intelligence agency that they will have to play a proper role in this regard."

Noting that her government built "Digital Bangladesh", she said due to digitalization, the scope for work has increased and so have cybercrimes.

Hasina said there are some anti-state forces who see nothing positive, no matter how well Bangladesh does. There is another class of people who defame Bangladesh before foreigners and they get financial or other benefits for it.

Talking about the sanction imposed on Rab officials by the US, the premier asked the force members not to be upset hearing the words from others but rather move with self-confidence.

"This is our country that we got through the sacrifice of blood. In this country, we know who does what job and we'll judge them. We'll have to work with this confidence."

About the activities of teenage gangs, Hasina said parents, teachers and public representatives alongside law enforcement agencies have also the responsibility to work for eliminating teenage gangs. "The teenage gangs must be stopped."

The premier also asked the Rab to focus more on protecting the youth from drugs.

"We're getting self-sufficient and developed financially. But the impact of drugs is getting worse at the same time. Many people are getting addicted," she said, adding that this social disease is spreading.

She said a family suffers immensely if any member gets addicted to drugs. "We've been able to contain it largely. But all will have to be more active in this case."

Hasina asked Rab to play an effective role in maintaining the country's peace, security and stability to ease Bangladesh's journey from a developing country to a developed and prosperous nation by 2040.

Talking about the commodity prices during the Ramadan, she asked the authorities concerned to ensure that no one suffers during the time.

"We see a peculiar trend in our country. Some people try to make profits during the Ramadan though it is a month of austerity. All should pay attention so that the people don't suffer."

Hasina said the Rab has successfully been conducting drives against food adulteration.

She also appreciated the force for successfully tackling terrorism, militancy, and piracy in the Sundarbans.

The PM said, "I believe that the force will play its role as it did in past with due dutifulness, effectiveness and activeness to maintain peace and stability in the country."

In another development, Hasina said India can use Bangladesh's sea and airports in Chattogram and Sylhet if it wanted.

She said this while Ram Madhav, member of the Governing Council of India Foundation, called on her at the Gono Bhaban yesterday.

PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon later briefed reporters.

Hasina said her government puts emphasis on the connectivity in the region that will lead to a better people-to-people contact.