Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, today vehemently criticized BNP-Jamaat for inciting a wave of terrorist and militant activities against citizens of the country. This campaign, she asserts, aims to disrupt the upcoming national election scheduled for January 7, 2024. She accused the BNP-Jamaat of acting on directives from London, asserting that the people of Bangladesh would not tolerate such crimes. Asserting the constitutional right of citizens to vote, Sheikh Hasina declared that no one should obstruct or harm others for exercising their voting rights. Her comments came during interaction with reporters following her visit to Hazrat Shahjalal’s shrine in Sylhet. The Prime Minister emphasized that Bangladesh rejects all forms of militant and terrorist acts. She expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would eventually reject those responsible for such actions. PM Hasina visits shrines of sufi saints in Sylhet at start of polls campaign Addressing the recent arson attacks on trains, she issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, emphasizing that such criminal acts would be met with decisive action. Sheikh Hasina criticized the BNP-Jamaat clique’s attempts to derail the election and prevent voter participation but noted the public's overwhelming support for the electoral process. “People are not responding to BNP’s strikes. What will they gain through such destructive activities? Rather, people will hate them ultimately,” she said. Highlighting her party’s past successes, she recounted the Awami League’s election victories in 2009, 2014, and 2018, attributing them to the party’s commitment to meeting the people’s basic needs. “Rest of the needs will be fulfilled Inshallah, if in the January 7 election people of Bangladesh cast their votes for the ‘boat’ symbol, and if we can from the government again. We will ensure a developed and prosperous Bangladesh. And no one will be without an address, home, and land,” she said. Sheikh Hasina also touched on her government’s goal of bringing happiness to the impoverished, in line with the vision of the Father of the Nation, and mentioned the country’s recent elevation to developing nation status. PM Hasina condoles loss of lives in China earthquake Regarding BNP’s decision to abstain from the election, she questioned the necessity of resorting to violent tactics like arson attacks, which she labeled as “terrorist and militant activities.” She condemned the BNP-Jamaat alliance’s history of violence, including recent attacks on civilians, police, and journalists. Emphasizing the democratic process within the Awami League, she stated that the party allows all members to participate in elections, leaving the choice of MPs to the electorate. She emotionally condemned the tragic deaths of a mother and child in yesterday’s arson attack on a train in Dhaka, questioning the morality of such violence. “There is nothing more painful... How can a human being do this to another?” AL upbeat as PM Hasina to launch election campaign from Sylhet Wednesday She reiterated her stance against fear tactics used to disrupt elections, referring to similar unsuccessful attempts in 2013 and 2014.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord was signed two decades ago, but peace still remains elusive  due to criminal activities like killing and extortion while the emergence of new armed group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) providing training to a militant group has become a major concern. Communities living in the region have been trying to rebuild their lives leaving behind all the despair, but fears and conflicts put them back. Violence unleashed by armed groups kills people and destroys the prospect of peace. Even tourism in Bandarban remains banned as part of high security measures preventing militant activities. Bangladesh is marking the 25th anniversary of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord on Friday (December 2). Read more: 25th anniversary of CHT Peace Treaty on Friday Militant training at CHT with emergence of KNF On October 20, members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested seven members of newly launched militant outfit Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya and three members of the armed separatist group Kuki-Chin National Front (KNF) conducting drives at Bandarban and Rangamati. Rab started their drives in these areas on October 9. The main purpose of the drives by the elite force was to capture those who are taking shelter and taking training there after tracing their location, Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Rab’s legal and Media Wing. The arrestees confessed that they had an agreement with a separatist group (KNF) to provide them shelter and training in exchange for money, disclosed the Rab spokesman. In 2021, the Amir of Jamatul Ansar fil Hindal Sharqiya had an agreement with the CHT-based armed group KNF regarding militant training in the area till next year. As per the agreement, Tk 3 lakh per month and food expenses of all KNF members were to be borne, according to the Rab officer. Tourism banned in Bandarban Bandarban district administration imposed a temporary restriction on visitors in Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas from October 18 morning for the safety of tourists amid anti-militancy drive in the district's remote areas. Later on October 23, the local administration discouraged tourists from traveling to Thanchi and Alikadam upazilas due to the same reason. Read more: Anti-militancy drive in CHT: 10 arrestees sent to jail The ban on tourism in Ruma and Rowangchhari upazilas has been extended for ninth time till December 4 while it was lifted in two others upazila.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam on Thursday  said police are ready to thwart any possible  militant attack during the Durga Puja celebration. The DMP Commissioner came up with the remark while talking to reporters after inspecting security measures taken for Durga Puja at Dhakeshwari temple in the capital on Thursday. Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community, will begin from  Saturday (October 1) with various rituals on the day of Maha Shashthi and will end on October 5 with immersion of idols. Durga Puja will be held at 32,168 mandaps (pandals), including 241 in the capital city, across the country this year.