Expressing optimism over return of normalcy in the country soon, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday said the current situation does not warrant foreign mission officials to leave Bangladesh.
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“The situation will get back to normalcy within a couple of days. No situation is prevailing in the country that they (foreigners) need to leave Bangladesh,” he told reporters while responding to a question at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, MoFA Spokesperson Seheli Sabrin and senior officials of the ministry were present.
Hasan said they will arrange a tour for the diplomats to visit some of the major sites of destruction on Wednesday before these are repaired.
The foreign minister said there was countrywide anarchy when war criminal Delwar Hossain Sayeedee’s verdict was announced and 112 people died in a single day.
He said this time the BNP-Jamaat men and militant groups created anarchy mainly in Dhaka and his ministry during the diplomatic briefing assured the diplomats of restoring normalcy.
Hasan said during the diplomatic briefing police steps were discussed and noted that everywhere in the world police take actions in time of necessity.
He referred to what happened in the United States and how the world watched televised footage that the attacker on former US President Donald Trump was shot to death.
Hasan also referred to how law enforcement agencies responded to attackers in Brussels and Paris. “Police take actions when police get attacked. When arson attacks are carried out on properties, police are forced to apply force.”
He said around 85 diplomats from 40 missions were present at the diplomatic briefing.
Responding to a question on possible foreign financing behind the violence, the foreign minister said he cannot make any comment without verification but BNP-Jamaat maintains communication with international terrorists groups.
Internet Restoration
Hasan said they are working overnight to restore internet services and noted the attackers torched and vandalised important government establishments, including key point installations like national data centre and optical fibre causing nationwide internet connectivity disruption.
“Even in my ministry, we do not have internet though we are supposed to communicate with the world through our missions abroad. We are working on it,” he said.
The government regretted the disruption of free movement and regular consular functions due to unavoidable circumstances.
BNP-Jamaat, with a desire to see dead bodies, behind Tuesday's anarchy: Hasan Mahmud
Hasan, however, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has arranged for the issuance of necessary passes by Dhaka Metropolitan Police in favour of the diplomatic missions for their essential movements during curfew hours.
The foreign minister said export-import activities are disrupted and in fact all are impacted. “This is temporary. Situation is now calm.”
Death Toll
The foreign minister said there are rumours regarding death toll but the Ministry of Home Affairs is working on the matter.
“It will be checked how many of our party workers and how many general people and police died,” Hasan said, adding that a police man was dragged out of his house and killed.
In a Taliban style, one was killed and his body was hanged from the tree, he added.
“These are done by BNP-Jamaat militant groups. We hope we will get the actual figure,” said the foreign minister.
He said the issues of expatriate Bangladeshi workers are being addressed in consultation with the line ministry and relevant foreign mission including their visa extension.
Responding to a question, Hasan said Al Jazeera through its local office ran “false, fabricated and distorted” news. “We have already given responsibility to our Ambassador in Qatar.”
BNP-Jamaat, with a desire to see dead bodies, behind Tuesday's anarchy: Hasan Mahmud
He also condemned attacks on media personnel including killing of two journalists, and torching their vehicles.