PM warns against violence in the name of movement:Daily Sun

Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday warned that the government will go tough if Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) tries to unleash violence in the country in the name of movement. “We had been in a transitional government before the January 5 elections and so, couldn’t do many things. But this time it is an elected government. Let them (BNP men) touch a single individual. We wi
ll not sit idle,” she said. The premier issued the warning while addressing a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban to brief the media on her attending the recent 10th Asia-Europe meeting in Italy. Sheikh Hasina, also president of the ruling Awami League, assured the people of the country of ensuring safety and security. “I want to make the people assure that nothing will happen to them.“ She also called upon the people to resist BNP if they try to resort to violence in the name of movement. “Killing of people is not a movement,“ the premier added. Ruling out the possibility of holding talks with the BNP, the premier said her government would not sit for any kind of talks with the ‘killers’ of Bangabandhu. “Why are you asking me the question of sitting with those who have fallen into the dustbin of politics? Why should we sit for talks with them?” she posed a question. About BNP’s threat of waging strong movement to realise their demand for mid-term national elections, Sheikh Hasina said such threats will not yield any result. In response to a question, the premier said she did not face any question about the January 5 polls at the ASEM meeting attended by some 53 countries. BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia addressing a public rally in Nilphamari claimed that that no country is yet recognise the present Awami League-led government. “This government is trying to get recognition from foreign countries. The government thinks that they will get recognition by visiting abroad,” she said. In response to BNP’s such claim, Sheikh Hasina said that she did not face any question about the January 5 elections. “I have met the heads of several states. They have congratulated me for holding the office for the second consecutive time. Nobody has raised any question about the polls,” she said. The premier said that the heads of different countries welcomed her for moving the country forward after the January 5 polls. Pointing at the BNP, Sheikh Hasina said the main opposition now is playing a active role in parliament. “Nobody thinks about that party (BNP) which skips the January 5 elections rather world leaders praised my government for making the country stability,” she said. Taking a swipe at the critics, the premier said it has now proved that those criticise the Awami League government, had a lack of foresight as Bangladesh won two prestigious posts at Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Inter-Parliamentary Union. “Representatives from many countries raised questions after January 5 elections, but heads of these countries hailed the government at the ASEM meet,” she said. The premier also answered BNP’s call for testing the popularity of the government saying that her party’s popularity will be tested when elections will be held. When the premier’s attention was drawn to BNP’s threat ahead of a hearing on Khaleda Zia’s corruption charges in court, Hasina said she (Khaleda) used to call hartal to delay the trial process. “If she (Khaleda) has the courage, she should face the court,” the premier said, claiming that Khaleda Zia will not be able to prove that she is innocent. Responding to another question over Islamic parties’ hartal for Sunday demanding arrest of Abdul Latif Siddique for making derogatory remarks on Prophet (PBUH), Hajj and Tablig Jamaat, she said I dond see any logic for enforcing such hartal as the government has taken action against him. “People who say the government did not take action against Siddique, it is not right. The government took immediate action against Latif Siddique for making the derogatory remarks.” “Siddique has been removed from the cabinet. His presidium membership from the Awami League has been cancelled. The Awami League Central Working Committee will also decide on his primary membership on Friday. Awami League leaders Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, foreign minister Mamhmud Ali and PM’s media adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, among others, were present at the briefing.