Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the lives lost during the recent quota reform violence can never be brought back even if the destroyed structures are rebuilt.

“The structures that were destroyed can be rebuilt. But we will never get back the lives that were lost,” she said.

The premier said this while inaugurating the National Fisheries Week-2024 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.

She once again said there was no issue for movement as she fulfilled every demand and the Appellate Division ordered status-quo over the High Court’s judgment and thus restoring the effectiveness of the government’s 2018 notification that abolished the quota system in the public service jobs.

She said even then such incidents and destructive acts were carried out and then many lives were taken in the name of the movement. “I never thought such a situation would arise at this time and so many fresh lives would be lost,” she added.

She said the government formed a judicial inquiry committee headed by a SC justice, without anyone asking for it.  

PM seeks cooperation from UN, Int’l organisations for proper investigation:

PM Hasina said the government has sought cooperation from the United Nations and other international organisations to help conduct a proper investigation into the nationwide mayhem centering the quota movement to punish the real culprits involved in the attacks.

Hasina said she has already directed to increase the manpower of the committee by two more members in a bid to expand the area of investigation.

Along with that, the government has already urged the United Nations and various international organisations, specially those in foreign countries, to cooperate in the investigation.    

“There should be a proper and fair investigation of the incident and punishment of the perpetrators,” she said. 

Noting that she has been living with the pain of losing her dear ones, the PM prayed for the salvation of the departed souls and conveyed her profound sympathy to the bereaved family members. 

“I know the pain of a person for losing a dear one,” she said in an emotion-choked voice.

She said the people can’t bear the shock of losing a family member but she and her sister Sheikh Rehana lost their entire family and all the beloved. 

Hasina said Bangladesh has now gained the status of a developing country following her return to power in 2009 with the public mandate in the election.

She questioned why the blood is shed and such an abnormal situation arises in Bangladesh when the country moves in the world arena with dignity and the world treats Bangladesh with respect.

PM Hasina visits Suhrawardy Hospital to check on violence victims

She said the institutions that serve the people and the lives of people from various professions, including law enforcers and small children were taken. “Why this blood?” she added. 

Referring to her visit to different hospitals to see the injured in the violence, the PM said she witnessed sufferings of many people and saw a small child on Tuesday. “It is very painful,” she said.

“I don't know what our fault was. The achievements of the country were damaged and the image of the country was spoiled internationally in the name of movement without an issue. My question is who achieved what,” said  Hasina.

She said power is not a matter of enjoyment to her and she didn’t come to power to lead a comfortable and lavish life, rather has tirelessly been working round-the-clock to develop Bangladesh and has successfully done it.  

“Today, Bangladesh is a role model for development in the world. Why was that dignity destroyed? I give the responsibility of judgment to the countrymen.”

The prime minister asked the people to find out the culprits involved in this conspiracy to pull the country back by carrying out an incident and fishing in troubled waters.

She said the collaborators of 1971 Pakistani occupation forces had taken the country back time and again through conspiracies, which is very unfortunate.

About the fisheries resources, the prime minister asked private entrepreneurs to come forward in the fish processing sector to enhance export earnings from this sector.

“We’re now exporting fish and fish products to 52 countries. But value addition to these exportable fish products is needed. If you can process it, we can earn more money,” she said, adding the production of frozen and processed fish products gradually developed. 

‘If they have patriotism, they wouldn’t destroy development structures’: PM Hasina

She said the contribution of the fish sector to the GDP is 2.53 percent and the livelihoods of some two crore people including 1400,000 women depend on the fish sector.   

The prime minister said a special attention should be paid to the production of fish by-products as well.

She said the government announced to strengthen the blue economy after conquering the vast sea areas through the solution to maritime demarcation disputes with two neigbouring countries.

The PM stressed the need for extraction of deep sea fishes, other marine resources like seaweeds, gas and fuel and other natural resources. 

“I have long been trying for it (the extraction of deep sea fishes). We have not yet reached the deep sea. I have discussed it with Japan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka who have experiences in this matter,” she said.

“We want the private sector to come forward here and we will provide them all necessary support in this regard,” she added.

She also put emphasis on farming pearls, crabs, snails and oysters to export these alongside meeting the local demand.

To mark the fisheries week, 22 individuals and organisations have been honoured with the National Fisheries Medal in the recognition of their outstanding contribution to the country’s fisheries sector. 

In the function, the prime minister conferred them with the medals –six gold medals, eight silver medals and eight bronze medals– and certificates.

The PM conferred two fishermen with smart identity cards as part of the government’s move to provide the fishermen with the smart cards.

In the event, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdur Rahman handed over a special memento to the prime minister for her outstanding contribution to the country’s fisheries sector.

The week-long 'National Fisheries Week-2024' is being celebrated across the country from July 30 to August 05 to promote sustainable development and expansion of fisheries resources. 

Fisheries and Livestock Minister Md Abdur Rahman presided over the inaugural function, while Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Sayeed Mahmood Belal Haider delivered the welcome speech.