Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday said Bangladesh proved before the world community that it could successfully combat terrorism in the name of Islam, as the security forces captured militant kingpin Shaekh Abdur Rahman.
"This country can crush any forms of terrorism," she told the nation in an address over radio and television within 12 hours of the arrest of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) supremo Abdur Rahman.
The prime minister thanked the friendly countries who extended their cooperation in the form of advice, training, technical and technological assistance, particularly Interpol, FBI and the Scotland Yard, in combating the militancy.
She urged all political parties to work jointly in greater interest of the nation by shunning the blame game and forgetting the trivial disputes with the government.
The prime minister hoped that any sort of extremism, or movement will die down and the terrorism in the name of Islam will end once for all.
Congratulating the lawenforcement agencies for their outstanding success in arresting
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Abdur Rahman, the prime minister said what Bangladesh did today with its merit, labour, courage and honesty, many rich and powerful countries of the world couldn't.
"Many militants of such stature like Shaekh Rahman still remain out of touch abroad, but security forces of Bangladesh have caught the kingpin of bomb terrorism," she said.
The prime minister observed that militant movement in international arena is not a new phenomenon, but its extreme manifestation happened through 9/11 in America. This movement has become a national problem for some countries, but an international problem for the world community.
She mentioned that such terrorism first raised its ugly head through bomb attack on Udichi function about 10 years ago. Later, it took a violent turn and even shrines, mosques, churches, public meetings, cultural and religious functions, offices and courts were not safe.
She said the August 17 serial blasts in 63 districts put people into constant fear. "The terrors targeted courts and administrative buildings."
Recalling her pre-election pledge in 2001 to root out terrorism from the country, Khaleda said although the coalition government in the last four years achieved success in improving overall law and order situation, but it was in fear about any bomb attack at anyplace at anytime.
She said it was the greatest challenge for the government to protect the people from such suicide attacks. Therefore, the government deployed all its strengths in tracking down suicide terrors and identifying the misguided people who involved themselves in terrorist activities in the name of religion.
"I firmly believe that the arrest of Abdur Rahman will be marked as an epoch-making good event in the history of Bangladesh," the prime minister said.
She, on behalf of the countrymen, extended her sincere thanks and gratitude to the members of the
law-enforcement agencies for achieving such highest success in curbing terrorism, recognising them as undaunted heroes.
"Today, we have proved how violence and crisis could be combated," she said, adding: "We have already removed the social terrorism and we have made substantial progress in fighting against political and religious terrorism."
The prime minister was all praise for the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), assuring the nation that Rab has become a trusted institution comprising police and armed forces in providing security for the people.
"But, unfortunately, a certain quarter is always critical of using the members of the armed forces at the time of vital national necessity."
Earlier on the day, the prime minister addressed a rally at Jatata High School ground at Dharmapasha in Sunamganj district.
At the rally, she declared that Bangladesh is now a terror-free country with the arrest of what she called a top-most terrorist and bomber.
The prime minister said a few people of Bangladesh started terrorism in the name of Islam. They are the enemies of religion, Islam, nation, democracy and development.
"They misled the people and worked against Islam,' she said, adding that people, including ulema, opposed their activities.
Congratulating cross-sections of people, political parties and professional groups on their assisting the government in rooting out terrors, Khaleda said 'only a political party' did not cooperate since they wanted 'anarchic situation and patronised the terrorists'.
"People in Bangladesh are for peace, but they are for chaos; they want indiscipline,' she told the rally.