BNP leaders' comments prove the party is harbouring militancy, Hasina says

The BNP leaders' remarks on the recent terror attacks have exposed that the party is harbouring militancy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said.

Parliament Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 July 2016, 07:08 PM
Updated : 27 July 2016, 07:08 PM

She responded to queries in Parliament on Wednesday on whether the BNP's demand for the government's resignation proves the party's link to militancy and whether the government has any plans to bring the BP leaders to justice for 'inciting terrorism'.

"It is naturally visible in the BNP leaders' comments that they are giving a condition - do this or else terrorism and militancy will not stop," Hasina said.

"The people will think that they (BNP) are encouraging militancy somehow, as they (BNP) are saying it will stop if their condition is fulfilled. It's clear in their comments and it's unfortunate," she added.

The prime minister had earlier rejected BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's call to build a united front against militancy, saying there cannot be any unity with 'terrorists'.

She had also said a national unity had already been forged.

The BNP chief made the call following the Gulshan cafe carnage that left 22 people, including 17 foreigners and two policemen, dead on July 1.

Two policemen and a woman died in another attack in Kishoreganj's Sholakia on July 7.

BNP leaders, however, reiterated the call, saying militancy will have to be tackled politically.

Hasina on Wednesday blamed the BNP and its closest ally Jamaat-e-Islami for 'letting militancy rise' during their tenure.

She also criticised the parties for 'killing people in the name of protests'.

The prime minister said the government was monitoring closely the pro-Jamaat media outlets whose reports may indirectly inspire militancy.