PM orders stern action to stop violence

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered law enforcement agencies, army and administration to take stern action to stop post-election violence and save lives of the countrymen.

"At any cost, lives and properties of people have to be saved, peace ensured and post-polls violence stopped," Hasina said at a press conference at Gono Bhaban, the PM's official residence.

Addressing the briefing as the chief of Awami League, which won more than three-fourths seats in the 10th parliamentary election, she urged the international community for assistance in continuing democratic process in the country.

Asked about the low turnout in yesterday's election, Hasina said she is satisfied with the number of voters who cast their votes. "I am satisfied with the fact that people managed to cast their votes."

She announced zero tolerance for terrorism and religious fundamentalism.

"Trial for war crimes will go on and verdicts of the trial will be executed," she insisted.

The AL chief thanked the countrymen for what she said casting votes braving hurdles put up by the opposition.

"The opposition tried all the means to stop people from going to polls centres: they enforced blockades, hartals, bombed and attacked people and polls centres. Still people turned up to voting centres and cast their votes.

"The polling officials, even though a presiding officer was killed, attended their duties at all the polling centres," she added.

About possible international sanction for holding the ‘one-sided’ election, Hasina said those who want sanction do not believe in independence as well as democracy of the country.

Saying many countries held elections in the worst manner than that in Bangladesh yet they got legitimacy, she posed a question what offences Bangladesh has done for that it has to face sanction.  

Highlighting different success of the country, the AL chief said the people who want to destroy the country bring about such discussion. “But they will not be able to do that as the people remain beside us.”

About media reports on corruption by his party and cabinet colleagues, the prime minister said action would be taken against anyone if found involved with corruption.

Asked about possibility of early election, she said the election will be held when the time will come.

The AL chief claimed that the election took place in a peaceful manner except some violence by the opposition. “We don’t believe that any question might be raised about the election.”

Replying to a question by a foreign journalist on foreign policy of the country, the premier said Bangladesh believes in “Friendship to all, malaise to none.”

She assured of compensation for the people who have been affected by the violence of the BNP and Jamaat.

The prime minister invited the BNP to peaceful dialogue after leaving the relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami and the war criminals.

“They (BNP) will not be able to think anything good until the war criminals will not leave them.”

She said those who believe in the independence and democracy of the country only they took part in the election.

Newly elected lawmakers, cabinet members, senior Awami League leaders, local and international journalists were present at the press conference.