Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said that the recent violence was part of a grave conspiracy to cripple the country’s economy so Bangladesh becomes a nation of beggars again.
“I think it was a conspiracy to cripple the economy for turning the country into beggar,” she said.
An emotionally overwhelmed prime minister said this in while expressing her feelings after visiting the city's Pangu hospital to console the injured persons who came under brutal attacks during the recent countrywide unrest.
She one again said it is up to the people of the country to try these culprits for the deadly violence.
“So many families have been affected. Who is responsible for this?,” she asked.
Hasina, also the chief of Awami League, narrated how the BNP-Jamaat alliance unleashed reign of terror and arson attacks in 2001, in 2013-2015 and after that in 2023.
Referring the hanging the bodies of slain Awami League activists and police personnel after killing them during the recent mayhem she asked what kind of politics is this.
Briefly describing various steps of the government including appeal in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against restoration of quota in government job, the prime minister questioned the motive of the student movement.
She said the agitating students declared a complete shutdown that led to countrywide destruction of government properties and left a number of people killed.
“My question to the people of this country, what was my fault. I am working for the welfare of the people to upgrade their life and livelihood. Is that my fault?,” she said.
The PM said she repeatedly requested the agitating students to have patience as their wishes will be fulfilled by the apex court and the government is also in favour of them.
She questioned why should the total shutdown continue after the apex court issued status-quo on the quota issue making no quota in the government jobs.
"I don't know why their shutdown was not stopped despite meeting all of their demands," she said.
The prime minister said this time miscreants rampaged through the government establishments which were built to make public life comfortable alongside making the country developed and prosperous.
The people including the students have to suffer now due to vandalism in metro rail stations, she said.
The PM reiterated that the people have to resist those who caused these sufferings.
About the casualties she said she never wanted that any mother would lost her child as she knew the pain of losing near and dear ones as she lost everything on August 15, 1975.
After visiting the Pongu hospital, the prime minister reiterated that her government will do everything possible for ensuring proper treatment of the injured.
She said the government will provide artificial hands and legs to those who lost their limbs in the rampage so they can return to their normal life.
"I will do my best," she said.
During her visit to the Pongu hospital, she enquired about the treatment of the injured people.
The prime minister was seen hugging the female relatives of the injured people to console them with assurance of extending all sorts of assistance for their proper treatment and rehabilitation.
Nitor Director Prof. Dr. Kazi Shamim Uzzaman apprised the prime minister of treatment of the victims.
Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen and State Minister for Health Dr Rokeya Sultana, former Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque accompanied the prime minister.