Referring to the ongoing student protests, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday questioned, ‘What kind of movement it was?’ and added, ‘Who will shoulder the responsibilities of the deaths?’
‘What logic is there to continue the movement when cent per cent demands are met? Why does the movement continue and in whose interest?’ she said.
The prime minister came down heavily for continuing the movement though all the demands were met.
She made the remarks as a chief guest at a voluntary blood donation programme and discussion and dua mahfil at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in the capital’s Farmgate area.
Bangladesh Krishak League organised the programme ahead of the National Mourning Day to be observed on August 15.
Prime minister said that the nation witnessed the savagery of extremism in the guise of an anti-quota movement, reiterating her vow that there would be no room for extremism and terrorism in Bangladesh.
‘There would be no room for extremism 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 and other countries through their expertise to probe into every incident during the countrywide mayhem to expose the perpetrators to justice.
Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, alerted the countrymen that Jamaat and Shibir would go underground and continue their destructive acts after being banned.
‘We all in unison have to face them. Everyone will have to remain alert to this end and I seek cooperation from the countrymen,’ she said.
The prime minister said that 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 is 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 extremists have shown their vicious teeth in the guise of quota movement.’
The prime minister said that she knew the pain of losing near and dear ones as she lost everything on August 15, 1975.
‘So, I want an 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 that her government 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 expanding its periphery as a larger number of incidents took place after its formation, 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 a fair investigation into the matter. Punishment will have to be taken against those who are responsible for that,’ she said.
The prime minister said that they would 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 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, a one-minute silence was observed as a mark of showing glowing tributes to the martyrs of August 15, 1975.
A milad and dua mahfil was held at the end of the programme to seek eternal peace for the departed souls of the August 15, 1975 martyrs and the deceased who lost lives in the recent violence.
Sheikh Hasina said that the extremists from around Dhaka carried out killings on the one hand and the other hand, launched the destruction of the public establishments built for the welfare of the people.
She said that the extremists damaged and torched BTV Bhaban, Setu Bhaban, BTRC Bhaban, metro rail, toll plazas of the expressway and Hanif Flyover, Covid hospital, a water treatment plant, sewage treatment plant and many other establishments.
The violence claimed the lives of many people of different professions including policemen and journalists, she said, adding the extremists even hanged police and an AL activist after they killed them.
She continued that the perpetrators even conducted searches for the police and AL leaders and activists to attack them during the widespread mayhem.
The prime minister said that now some intellectuals were supporting the movement.
She questioned the extended support for what extremist and terrorist acts were carried out centering the quota movement from which none, including police, RAB, journalists and commoners, was spared.
The prime minister said that he had earlier alerted the guardians and teachers in her televised speech to the nation on July 17 that there had been the risk of lives of their children.
She continued she requested them not to allow their children to go out of the house sensing the danger.
‘Because, I know what the extremists and terrorists can do,’ she said.
The prime minister called upon the AL leaders and activists to stay beside the people during the month of mourning while observing it.
‘Let’s take a pledge to materialise the ideal of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on which he had liberated the country,’ she said.
