Ganobhaban

Hasina asks AL to strengthen vigilance to maintain communal harmony

Describing the recent incident in Cumilla as very unfortunate, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday asked the Awami League leaders and activists to intensify their vigilance to maintain communal harmony across the country. “Communal harmony has to be maintained. Our leaders and activists should intensify their monitoring in every area,” she said while virtually opening the newly-constructed office building for Awami League’s Cumilla City Unit from her official residence Ganobhaban. Sheikh Hasina, also the AL president, asked her party leaders and activists to take initiatives for holding ‘peace conferences’ and bringing out ‘peace processions’ so that no conflict can occur and people from all religions like Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists live in a peaceful life on this soil. What happened in Cumilla, she said, is very unfortunate. “Islam never allows disgracing the religions’ others. Alongside respecting one's own religion, one has to respect others’ religions as well,” she said. Read: WTO rules to help Bangladesh more after graduation: Hasina The Prime Minister said if the religions of other communities are vilified, it ultimately demeans one’s own religion. “If we analyze the Cumilla incident, we would see our holy Quran was defamed while going to undermine other religions, which is very unfortunate.” The Prime Minister urged people not to take law into their own hands. “If anyone commits an offence, the perpetrators would have to face justice, no matter who he or she is. Our government would try them.” She said the Prophet (SM) asked not to do excesses over the religion. “Everyone must know, keep it in mind and follow it,” she added. Hasina said those who sacrificed their lives in the great Liberation War are from all religions. The people from all religions shed their blood there. So, we all will have to keep it in mind that Bangladesh is of the people of all religions and castes.” Referring to the recent incidents of breaking communal harmony, including in Cumilla and Pirganj of Rangpur, the Prime Minister said the government took all sorts of arrangements for the victims like providing them with dry and cooked foods, clothes and treatment. “We’ll build houses for all the victims. We’ve already taken this step,” she said, adding that Awami League is always with victims. When her government is taking the country forward in every sector, the Prime Minister said there is a section of people here who cannot tolerate the progress. They, particularly BNP-Jamaat and Khaleda, do not want Bangladesh to move on raising its head high with dignity because of their love for Pakistan. Read: Hasina unveils state-of-the-art exhibition centre in Purbachal Focusing on her government’s development activities for Cumilla, Hasina said she has decided to upgrade Faridpur and Cumilla into new divisions after the names of the country’s two major rivers – Padma and Meghna. The PM said she will form Cumilla division after the name of Meghna’ while Faridpur after that of ‘Padma’. LGRD Minister Tazul Islam, AL organising secretary Abu Sayeed Al Mahmood Swapon and local Awami League MP AKM Bahauddin and other local AL leaders joined the virtual the function from the new office building.

3 years ago

Perform duties properly to enforce Corona directives: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday directed all the authorities concerned to perform their duties properly to ensure the government’s directives are implemented appropriately to battle the fresh wave of the Covid-19 in the country. “We’ve already issued some directives to check coronavirus. You all will have to pay special attention so that people follow the directives properly,” she said while inaugurating the newly constructed multi-storied head office of the National Security Intelligence (NSI). The Prime Minister declared the 20-storied head office building open, joining the function virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Also read: Avoid public gatherings, wear masks to fight Covid surge, PM urges all She said her government is much conscious about keeping the economic activities running, but saving lives of people is the first priority. Sheikh Hasina said various countries across the world witnessed economic slowdown due to the corona situation, but Bangladesh has been able to keep the economic pace running and its economic growth rate is higher than other South Asian countries. “We’ll have to maintain it (the trend of growth),” she said. The Prime Minister asked all to raise public awareness so that people follow the health protection rules and guidelines. “All will have to keep themselves protected and protect others. You all who are in-charge throughout the country will have to perform your duties properly,” she said. Also read:PM issues directives to tackle Covid-19 Sheikh Hasina asked the NSI to work properly to check militancy, terrorism, drug and corruption in the country as the government announced ‘zero tolerance policy’ against these social menaces. “You always will have to remain vigilant about these (social menaces) and take proper measures. You’ll have to do whatever necessary for protecting people’ lives and properties, public interest and ensuring peace and security to public life,” she said. “We want that you, every member of NSI, will perform your duties with honesty and sincerity being imbued with the spirit of patriotism,” she said. The PM put emphasis on maintaining the continuation of the country’s development adding that now Bangladesh is a developing country thanks to her government’s tireless works since 2009. “If we want to keep its continuation, we’ll have to maintain peace and order in the country, fight Corona and simultaneously keep up the economic pace,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said though the Corona pandemic may hinder the country’s progress to some extent, Bangladesh will be able to recover from it. “Bangladesh is marching forward and will do so,” she said. Also read:PM to inaugurate Covid-19 vaccination on Jan 27 Extending her thanks to the NSI members for playing a role in fighting the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic, she asked the NSI members to play more significant role this time. PM’s Security Affairs Adviser Tarique Ahmed Siddique was present at the function moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus. NSI Director General Major General TM Jobaer delivered the welcome speech. On January 17, 2015, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the 20-storied building for the NSI head office.

3 years ago