Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said the nation had
witnessed savagery of militancy in guise of anti-quota movement, reiterating
her vow that there would be no room for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh.
"There would be no room for militancy and terrorism in
Bangladesh. Their main strength Jamaat-e-Islam and Shibir will be banned under
section 18 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009," she said.
The prime minister once again sought cooperation from the
United Nations (UN) and other countries through their expertise to probe into
every incident during the countrywide mayhem to expose the perpetrators to
justice.
She made the remarks as the chief guest at a voluntary blood
donation programme and discussion and doa mahfil at the Krishibid Institution
Bangladesh in the city's Farmgate area.
Bangladesh Krishak League (BKL) organised the programme
ahead of the National Mourning Day to be observed on August 15.
Sheikh Hasina, also President of the ruling Awami League
(AL), alerted the countrymen that Jamaat and Shibir will go to underground and
continue their destructive acts after being banned.
"We all in unison have to face them. Everyone will have
to be remained alert to this end and I seek cooperation from the
countrymen," she said.
The prime minister said she knew attempts on her life may
come time and again like the previous occasions.
"But, I don't care. Allah has given the life and he
will also take it away. I will do everything whatever required for the welfare
of the people," she said.
Referring to the deaths of many people and destruction of
public properties in the recent violence, she said, "The militants have
shown their vicious teeth in guise of quota movement."
The prime minister said she knew the pain of losing near and
dear ones as she lost everything on August 15 in 1975.
"So, I want investigation into every single thing (of
the mayhem) to find out who are behind those and how and what incidents have
taken place," she said.
She also said her government has formed a one-member
judicial probe commission to investigate into deaths of six persons in the
recent violence.
Later, the commission was extended to three members with
expanding its periphery as a larger number of incidents taken place after
formation of it, she added.
Sheikh Hasina also called on the UN to send their experts to
probe into every matter.
"If any country wants, they can also send experts. I
want fair investigation into the matters. Punishment will have to be taken
against those who are responsible for that," she said.
The prime minister said they will not tolerate anymore the
destruction of the properties they built and playing ducks and drakes with the
fate of the countrymen.
The countrywide mayhem was carried out to tarnish the image
of Bangladesh abroad, she also said.
AL's Advisory Council Member Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun,
and Agriculture and Cooperative Affairs Secretary Faridur Nahar Laily, among
others, spoke on the occasion.
BKL President Samir Chanda presided over the event moderated
by General Secretary Umme Kulsum Smriti.
At the outset of the programme, one-minute silence was
observed as a mark of showing glowing tributes to the martyrs of the August 15,
1975.
A milad and doa mahfil was held at the end of the programme
to seek eternal peace of the departed souls of the August 15, 1975 martyrs and
the deceased who lost lives in the recent violence.
