Resist arsonists in every area

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged her party members to put up resistance against the arsonists in every area in an organised way.

"Now you will have to put up resistance against the arsonists not only in Dhaka city but in every area," she said at a discussion at the capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

The Awami League organised the event marking the Jail Killing Day.

Hasina, also the AL president, asked her party activists to protect the lives and properties of the people by finding out those behind arson violence and handing them over to law enforcers.

She said it is the responsibility of her party to ensure protection of the people's lives and properties.

The AL chief asked her party activists to get organised so that not a single culprit behind arson violence goes unpunished.

"If anyone is caught red-handed while setting fire, you [party activists] will have to throw that person in the same fire. The hands which are used in setting fire will have to be burnt…. If this is done, they would learn lessons," she said.

Hasina said the BNP was "plotting to foil" the next general election, but the party would fail to do so. She said the parliamentary polls can't be foiled only by a handful of criminals.

The premier asked the AL leaders and activists to remain united to make sure that people's voting rights can be upheld and they can vote peacefully.

Hasina said the BNP is doubtful about taking part in the next general election because the party is worried about not winning enough seats.

"Even if the BNP joins the polls, it would do so to do nomination business."

Hasina questioned who would be the BNP's leader if it runs in the election. "Who will be the prime minister? Who will be in the cabinet?"

She said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has been convicted in several cases, including the 10-truck arms haul case and a money laundering case.

"They were directly involved in the August 21 grenade attack. There is no doubt about it," she said citing several remarks made by Khaleda Zia at that time. 

'FIND OUT HOARDERS'

Hasina asked her party leaders and the government agencies concerned to find out hoarders of essentials.

"Hoarders try to take money out of people's pockets by not marketing the commodities despite having enough stocks. They will have to be found out. We will take action against them."

Noting that the conspiracies were being hatched in many ways against the government, the PM said there is no shortage of any essential as the production of commodities, including meat, fish, rice, potato and vegetables, has increased significantly in the country.

AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader, senior leaders Shajahan Khan, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Mirza Azam, and late national leader Tajuddin Ahmad's daughter Simeen Hussain Rimi and Syed Nazrul Islam's daughter Sayeda Zakia Noor Lipi, among others, spoke on the occasion.