Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday sought justice from
countrymen for massive destruction of the government establishments during
recent nationwide mayhem as she paid visit to vandalised Mirpur-10 Metro rail
Station.
"The people of the country have to expose them
(culprits involved in nationwide mayhem) to justice. I am seeking justice from
the masses. I have no word to describe the destructions," she said. The
prime minister made the appeal to the countrymen with emotion chocked voice
after seeing severe devastation carried out on Mirpur 10 Metrorail Station
here, on Thursday morning. She also called upon the countrymen to resist the
anarchists who went on rampage for multiple days since July 17 and heavily
damaged the government establishments built in the last 15 years to ease the
public life and transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country,
cashing in on the quota reform movement. The prime minister said her government
has built the metro rail from Uttara to Motijheel with the most modern
equipment as around 2.5 lakh people go to their work places and return homes
easily through metro rail at the shortest possible time without being struck in
jams for hours. "Everything of our metro rail that includes the metro rail
station and services are of international standard. I have visited many
countries across the globe. But, our metro rail is the most modern," she
said. "But, what a grave destruction I saw today (after inspecting
different parts of the Metrorail Station at Mirpur 10). How could the people of
the country do that? But, they did it," she said.
She also said every official involved in the metro rail
construction, has now tears in their eyes after seeing the insane havoc. "Who
are the beneficiaries of the metro rail?” the premier questioned. “Do my
government officials, ministers and I only ride the metro rail or the people?
Who are getting its benefits? You, the countrymen and commoners are getting its
benefits. So, my question is that why such anger on the metro rail," she
said. She continued that she didn't know when the metro rail station would come
into operation. The premier reminded the countrymen that they have built the
metro rail before the scheduled time after confronting many hurdles. She said
the government had to overcome so many barriers to construct the metro-rail and
it was completed before the scheduled time. The Metro rail services have been
suspended since July 18 amid widespread destruction by the BNP-Jamaat alliance.
The metro rail will start its operation following submission of the assessment
report on the damages by the inquiry committee within 10 working days after its
formation on July 22. Sheikh Hasina said her government has established
well-connected communication system across the country by building
communication infrastructures like the metrorail. Referring to the damaged
metrorail stations, the Premier said the people of the country, particularly
Dhaka's inhabitants, would have to suffer for it as they would have to be
caught in jam for hours.
"So, I call upon you to resist those who have created
the sufferings for you (through destruction of the metro rail). The countrymen
have to prevent them," she continued. Two metrorail stations including
Mirpur-10 and Kazipara were rampaged on Friday last during the quota reform
movement. “Who are the worst sufferers of the destruction of the metro rail? I
do not know how long it would take to restore this metro rail and the
vandalised stations,” she said in an emotion-charged voice. Sheikh Hasina said
they have built all establishments in the last 15 years to give the countrymen
an improved life with better connectivity. "What mentality works behind
such rampage of the establishments," she questioned. The Prime Minister
said she considers the people of Bangladesh as her near and dear ones and works
tirelessly for the development of the country from that philosophy. She said
that in the last 15 years, she has done everything for the welfare and
happiness of the people. “I have ensured food security, power, medicare,
education and communication. Who are the beneficiaries of these
developments?" she questioned.
Bangladesh has got the status of a developing nation for the
efforts of her government from 2009 to 2024 for which Bangladeshis are now
moving around keeping their heads high. The Prime Minister said, “Don't think
that all the developments have taken place in a day.” Those who have got the
benefit of the metrorail and other government establishments would have to
resist the anarchists, she reiterated. “I am working tirelessly to upgrade the
living standard of the people and I have done this and no one can deny that,”
she said. When the country is marching ahead to reach the top stage, the
conspirators are trying to pull the country down, she added. “Why? That is my
question and I don't know who will give the answer,” she said. About the quota
reform movement, the Prime Minister said she felt pain over the issue as she
earlier cancelled the quota in the government jobs as the students agitated
against it in 2018. The freedom fighters' family appealed against it and it was
cancelled by the High court. "We filed appeal against that. They (Supreme
Court) issued a status-quo over the High Court order and gave a time to give a
decision after hearing everyone (involved in the process)," she said. She
said she also repeatedly requested the agitating students to have patience and
keep faith in the apex court and their expectation will be fulfilled. "I
called upon them to refrain from it (the quota reform movement). But, they did
not do that," she said. The BNP-Jamaat clique have taken the chance of the
movement and carried out massive destruction across the country.