PM fears arson attacks, urges all to stay alert

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged people of the country to take steps against the culprits who may make arson attacks on people to kill them in coming days.

“Whoever makes such attacks, I urge people to take steps against them at once and we'll do whatever is needed in this regard,” she said.

The PM made the remarks while inaugurating the world's largest burn and plastic surgery institute, Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, in the capital's Chankharpul area.

The health ministry has named the institute after the PM in recognition of her devotion to development of burn and plastic surgery healthcare system.

Recalling the horrible days of 2013, 2014 and 2015 when the BNP-Jamaat clique established a reign of terror through hurling Molotov bombs, arson attacks and setting public and private establishments on fire, Hasina questioned what type of political movement that was.

“I can't understand that... I don't want such incidents to take place in Bangladesh again,” she said.

She said people resisted those heinous attacks of BNP-Jamaat, during which hundreds of people lost their lives and several thousands were injured.

“Our law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies in cooperation with all had been able to contain such terrorist and militant attacks... I request people to resist the culprits in the future, too,” Hasina said.

Stating that the only aim of the government is to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make the country a hunger- and poverty-free one, Hasina thanked people as they voted Awami League to power casting their votes in favour of "Boat".

“If they give us the chance to serve them again, then we'll surely complete our development projects now being implemented,” she said.

Hasina said the government will make the country hunger- and poverty-free by 2020, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence.

Dhaka South City Mayor Sayeed Khokon; State Minister for Health and Social Welfare Dr Zahid Maleque; Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed; chief coordinator of the institute Dr Samanta Lal Sen and engineering chief of Bangladesh Army Maj Gen M Siddiqur Rahman Sarker also spoke at the programme, chaired by Health and Social Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim.

Health Secretary Md Serajul Huq Khan delivered the welcome speech.

The Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute will help treat burn patients and train plastic surgeons to meet the country's requirements.

The 12-storey institute, located next to the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover will provide advanced treatment to burn patients, while physicians and nurses will also get trainings to enhance their professional skills.

With state-of-the-art equipment and technology, the institute has 500 beds, 50 intensive care units and 12 operation theatres, making it the largest burn and plastic surgery institute in the world.

On April 6, 2016, Hasina inaugurated the construction work of the institute, by laying its foundation stone.

The burn and plastic surgery institute was constructed at a cost of Tk 522 crore as part of the current government's plan to provide modern treatment facilities to patients of burn injuries, develop medical experts and conduct research.

There are three blocks in the institute -- hosting the burn unit, plastic surgery unit and academic wing.