Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the trial of the killers of Awami League MP Manjurul 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 (MP Liton’s) will definitely be held on Bangladesh soil. I’ve already directed the law enforcement agencies to hunt down the killers,” she said.The Prime Minister was addressing the people of all strata of Rangpur division through videoconferencing from her official Ganobhaban residence.She also joined with the people from all classes of Gaibandha, Panchagarh, Dinajpur and Lalmonirhat districts through the videoconference.The videoconference was arranged as part of the government’s anti-terrorism and anti-militancy campaign across the country.The Prime Minister said MP Liton was always very much vocal and had put up resistance against Jamaat-Shibir and provided security to the people of his neighbourhood.She said the Jamaat-Shibir men and culprits earlier had carried out mayhem and vandalism centering the January 5 polls adding that they had torched hundreds of houses and offices, beaten policemen to death, vandalised and torched the house of a female vice-chairman. “But, Liton then stood against those crimes.”
Hasina also called upon the people of all, including law enforcement agencies, administration, professionals, religious leaders, imams and ulema-mashayekh, teachers, students and guardians so that terrorism and militancy can never make their place on Bangladesh soil.”All will have to be vocal against terrorism and militancy as such acts can never bring peace in people’s lives. Islam is a religion of solidarity and peace, and there’s no place for terrorism and militancy,” she added.Hasina said the drive against terrorism and militancy will continue.Noting that establishing peace is essential to ensure socio-economic development of Bangladesh, she sought cooperation from the people of all classes alongside local public representatives and the administration so that the ongoing development projects can be completed smoothly.Blasting the BNP-Jamaat government for shutting down community clinics, Hasina said no one will be able to shut these community clinics in the future.Turning to the drive to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Prime Minister said her government has been making special stride so that development is ensured from the grassroots level for sustainable progress. “We’ll have to attain the SDGs.”During the videoconference, the Prime Minister also enquired about the progress of the cases against the killing of four police personnel during 2013 by the BNP-Jamaat miscreants and ordered the police super of Gaibandha to take necessary measures to further expedite actions.She alleged Khaleda Zia had tried to unseat the government in 2015 as she announced not to return home without toppling the Awami League from power and foil the national election in 2014 through unleashing vandalism and burning public property and vehicles.Hasina also elaborated various development efforts of her government being implemented across Rangpur Division and said, “Monga has already been driven out from the country’s northern region.”Some 31 lakh people of 6299 places of eight districts of Rangpur division were connected with the videoconferencing.Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Lawmakers of Rangpur division, including HN Ashiqur Rahman, Tipu Munshi, Nurul Isalm Sujon, Ramesh Chandra Sen and Motahar Hossain were present at Ganobhaban.In another programme at Ganobhaban in the afternoon, the Prime Minister reiterated that the killers of Liton must be hunted down.Speaking at a joint meeting of Awami League Central Working Committee and its Advisory Council, she also alleged that BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia like her husband always pampers criminals and patronises them, urging people to remain alert against its motives and moves.She also categorically said the government will not allow terrorism and militancy on Bangladesh soil, calling upon people to be more vocal against the menace.Talking about her government’s completion of three years in power after the 10th general election, the Prime Minister said it is running the country very successfully and the pace of development continues.About the joint meeting agenda, she said Awami League will prepare topics for the upcoming meeting with the President on January 11 on the formation of the Election Commission.Hasina said the GDP growth has shot up to 7.11 percent and the government’s all development initiatives are now visible.Noting that her government has attached priority to the development of rural people, she said as a result of various pragmatic steps, about 5 percent people have been graduated to the middle-income group from the lower income one and the poverty rate has been slashed down to 22 percent.The Prime Minister said Bangladesh’s development is a wonder to the world community and it is the role model of development to the international community.She said the central committee will formulate the modalities of the discussion with the President on the formation of the next Election Commission in addition to finalising the programmes for Bangabandhu’s Homecoming Day and Amar Ekushey.At the outset of the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated the leaders and workers of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) for their untiring contributions to the country’s all achievements.She recalled her affiliation with BCL as the elected Vice President of the Student Union of Badrunessa College. BCL has very glorious role in achievements of the country, she said.
source:UNB
