Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday once again sought cooperation from the United Nations and foreign countries to probe into every incident during the countrywide mayhem to expose the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The prime minister also said the nation had witnessed the savagery of extremism in the 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 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.
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 organised the programme ahead of the national mourning day scheduled to be observed on August 15.
Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, alerted the people 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 country’s people,’ she said.
The prime minister said she knew that there might be an attempt on her life 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 militants have shown their vicious teeth in the 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, 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 her government has formed a one-member judicial probe commission to investigate the deaths of six persons in the recent violence.
Later, the commission was extended to three members while expanding its periphery as a larger number of incidents took place after the 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 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 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 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, a one-minute silence was observed as a mark of showing glowing tributes to the martyrs of August 15, 1975.
A milad and doa 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 the militants from around Dhaka carried out killings on the one hand and on the other hand, destroyed the public establishments built for the welfare of the people.
She said the militants damaged and torched BTV Bhaban, Setu Bhaban, BTRC Bhaban, metro rail, toll plazas of the expressway and Hanif Flyover, Covid-19 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 militants 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.
‘What kind of movement it was?’ she questioned, added, ‘Who will shoulder the responsibilities of the deaths?’
The prime minister came down heavily on protesters for continuing the movement though all the demands were met.
 ‘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 said now some intellectuals are supporting the movement.
She questioned whether they extended support for the acts of violence, carried out centring the quota movement, which spared none, including the police, RAB, journalists and common people.
The prime minister said she had earlier alerted the guardians and teachers in her televised speech to the nation on July 17 that people's lives were in danger.
She continued that she requested them not to allow their children to go out of the house sensing the danger.
‘Because I know what the militants 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 ideals of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on which he had liberated the country,’ she said.