Mobilise public opinion against terrorism, militancy: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today reiterated her call to the people of all strata to mobilise public opinion against terrorism and militancy as she vowed again to establish Bangladesh as a peaceful nation in the world, BSS reports.

"There are imams, teachers, guardians, journalists and cultural activists in the society alongside officials of the administration and members of the law enforcement agencies. So I would like to urge all to build public opinion together against terrorism, militancy and drug addiction," she said.

"You will have to convince the people that terrorism and militancy are not a way of peace and security and they don't bring any welfare for the people," she added.

The prime minister was talking to a cross section of the people of 11 districts of Chittagong division through videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence here this noon.

Through the videoconferencing, the premier talked to administrative officials, teachers, imams, farmers, workers, rickshaw-pullers, journalists, social workers, local public representatives and members of the law enforcement agencies to involve them more in the government's development activities as well as its ongoing campaign against militancy and terrorism.

The people of 7509 places of 11 districts of Chittagong division were connected with the videoconferencing.

Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, Railway Minister Mozibul Hoque, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, PM's Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, MP, Dr Dipu Moni, MP, and MA Latif, MP, were present at Ganabhaban.

Pointing out her government's firm stance that there won't be any room for terrorism and militancy in Bangladesh, the prime minister said: "It's my call to everybody let's establish Bangladesh as a peaceful nation in South Asia by stamping out terrorism and militancy with united efforts of all."

"We want to stay on the way of welfare and our aim is to make overall development of the people ... we want to work to achieve the goal," she said.

Describing Islam as the religion of peace, Sheikh Hasina said this religion remains on the path of peace. "But some people are out to defame Islam by killing," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also called on the alem-ulema to motivate the people so that they don't step into the wrong path. "You will have to convince the people against terrorism and militancy during the prayers time following the directives of the Great Prophet (PBUH), the holy Quran and Hadith," she said.

In this connection, she suggested the guardians to look after that with whom their children develop friendship, what do they do and where they go."You will have to create such an environment so that the children could talk to you in an open mind," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also called upon the teachers of educational institutions,particularly universities, to keep a sharp vigil on the students about what do they do and whether they build relations with terrorists and get addicted to drugs.

"Make efforts to bring them back from such offences, and it is my firm belief that we could bring more success in combating terrorism if everybody takes initiatives in such a way," she said.