Demands met, why continuing protests: PM
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PM issued a strong warning against any wrongdoing on the campus of educational institutions.
Stern actions would be taken against the wrongdoers whoever they might be, she said.
“We say it clearly that we will never tolerate any crime on the campus… we didn’t allow it in the past and will not accept it in future.”
Hasina, also the Awami League president, said the government did not hesitate to take action against Abrar’s killers. “We don’t see who belongs to which party… we treat killers as killers, wrongdoers as wrongdoers and torturers as torturers.”
She said she did not wait after being informed of the killing of Abrar.
“I immediately instructed the police to arrest the killers and collect all information regarding the murder from the video footage. But the police faced trouble while collecting the footage.”
The PM said the students obstructed the police when they were collecting the footage.
Hasina said the inspector general of police rushed to her after the October 6 incident and wanted to know what they would do.
The IGP informed her that students wanted a copy of the footage, she said, adding that she directed the police chief to give a copy to the students.
The PM said she also asked the IGP to identify and arrest the killers and take action against them.
She said the accused could have been arrested immediately if 3/4 hours was not wasted for collecting the video footage. “It seemed that a scope was given to the accused to flee. The protesters can say about it.”
Hasina said those who had grabbed power after the assassination of Bangabandhu in 1975 made the killers of the Father of the Nation heroes and rewarded the accused of seven-murder at Dhaka University.
“We had to wait for 38 years for the trial of the killers of my parents and brothers…. So, it has become a difficult task to eliminate the menaces from the society where the culprits committed such heinous killings and they were rewarded and protected.”
The PM said the country witnessed brandishing of arms on educational campuses during the rules of Ziaur Rahman, HM Ershad and Khaleda Zia.
She said none but the Awami League government held trials of the killings on campuses. “The trial of the killing of Sabikun Nahar Sony, who died during an intra-party clash of Chhatra Dal at Buet, was not held.”
The premier said nobody protested at that time and the Buet Alumni Association didn’t speak about the incident.
Hasina said everybody enjoys the right to speak when the AL stays in power. “The people can speak… at least this scope is there.”
DHAKA-DELHI DEALS ISSUE
The PM blasted those opposing the MoUs signed recently with India on the withdrawal of 1.82 cusec water from the Feni river by India and supply of bulk LPG from Bangladesh to India.
About water-sharing of the 140-km long Feni river, she said Bangladesh and India have equal right to use its water.
Hasina said Bangladesh would export LPG to Tripura after importing it.
Recalling the contributions of the people of Tripura during the Liberation War, she said they gave shelter to Bangladeshis and provided food.
The AL chief asked the Mohila Sramik League leaders and activists to create awareness among the people so that nobody goes abroad by stepping into the trap of brokers.
Citing the selling of a Bangladeshi woman by members of her father-in-law’s family to a brothel in a foreign country, Hasina said the woman was rescued and brought back to Bangladesh.
“We are taking proper steps against those involved in such an offence and we will continue it… stern actions will be taken against the culprits in future.”
The PM also elaborated her government steps for the welfare of the women and said they have to create their own space in the society and build themselves through obtaining proper education.
AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader also addressed the programme, chaired by Mohila Sramik League President Raushan Jahan Sathi.
Earlier, the AL chief inaugurated the conference by releasing pigeons and balloons.
A minute’s silence was observed to show respect to the memories of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, four national leaders and martyrs of different movements, including the independence movement in 1971.