PM warns of lawful action
Partha Pratim Bhattacharjee
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said those who
provoke violence and announce violent programmes as well as those who
are seen taking part in them will be brought to book.She cautioned that her new government would not tolerate any further agitation that jeopardises lives and property, adding that it would go tough against any move to create anarchy.
Hasina, prime minister of the polls-time cabinet, made the remarks during the maiden meeting of the Awami League Parliamentary Party (ALPP) of the 10th Parliament at the Sangsad Bhaban yesterday.
The AL chief asked her party lawmakers to visit their own constituencies and work with people to help maintain law and order.
The party would form the government on Sunday by taking oath at Bangabhaban.
"Tough action will be taken against the opposition if they go for further violence...," a party lawmaker who attended the meeting quoted Hasina as saying.
BNP leaders Selima Rahman, Khandaker Mahabub and Hafiz Uddin Ahmed were arrested immediately after they announced agitation programmes of the BNP-led 18-party alliance.
Sheikh Hasina said BNP had made a mistake by not contesting the national polls, according to the meeting sources. "We had showed our patience. But we will spare no one for taking an anti-people stand," she said.
The AL president asked the party lawmakers to maintain strong ties with their own constituencies and make the party grassroots strong. "MPs are accountable to their constituencies, and so they all have to maintain good relationships with their own constituencies and evaluate party activists.”
Hasina asked the MPs of the areas where minorities are being attacked to reach out and provide shelter to the victims.
The meeting sources said Hasina was unanimously elected leader of the ALPP. AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam proposed her name as the leader, which was seconded by Chief Whip Abdus Shahid. All the other lawmakers then clapped and supported Shahid.
"I have been in charge of this several times,” Hasina cheerfully said. “Please choose a new face. Why should I be chosen repeatedly?"
She urged all her party lawmakers to take up full responsibility since the country is going through a critical moment, and the party is going to run the state under these circumstances.
Before the meeting, members of the AL advisory council and two former advisors to the prime minister HT Imam and Mashiur Rahman had entered the room where the AL lawmakers were taking oath, the sources said. The AL president said those who were not elected should leave. Chief Whip Abdus Shahid also requested them to leave.
