PM hits back at BNP threat

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday cautioned the BNP on its threat to stage anti-government protests after Eid, saying the government would not tolerate people's sufferings in the name of movement.
"The BNP threatens to wage movement after Eid to topple the government. No one will be allowed to play with people's fate," she said in her valedictory speech at the budget session of the 10th parliament.
People will not forget the brutalities the party had carried out before the January 5 polls, Hasina said.
The budget session of the 10th parliament ended yesterday with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury's urge to the treasury bench and opposition members to uphold democracy by participating in parliament proceedings.
The Tk 2,50,506 crore budget for 2014-15 fiscal year was passed in this session of parliament that began on June 3.
During her speech, Sheikh Hasina showed some terrible images of brutality carried out by the BNP-Jamaat before the 10th national elections.
She alleged that Khaleda Zia with the help of the Jamaat had tried to foil the January 5 elections, aiming to destroy the country's democracy.
The prime minister told the House that 16 policemen, two BGB men, two Ansar men and one soldier were killed during the BNP-Jamaat's violent movement.
Responding to Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad's allegation about the absence of justice in Narayanganj, Feni and Laxmipur, Hasina said: "We have taken top-down initiatives after the Feni, Narayanganj and Laxmipur incidents.
"But it is unfortunate that in every incident we have lost our people."  She also vowed that miscreants, whoever they are, must be tried.
The Prime Minister severely criticised the BNP chief for blaming the Awami League (AL) for everything during an interview with an Indian newspaper.
The Leader of the House urged Khaleda Zia to see her own face in the mirror first before speaking to foreign media and blaming the AL.
"We always wanted a continuation of democratic practice in the country. But it is Ziaur Rahman who introduced arms and black money in politics," she said.
“Ershad also captured state power in the way Ziaur Rahman did," Hasina said, pointing at Ershad, who is currently special envoy to the prime minister.