Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has told MPs BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be tried for the deaths during her party's violent blockade.
Published : 20 Jan 2015, 08:52 PM
Several ruling Awami League MPs demanded prosecuting Khaleda during Tuesday's Parliament session.
Hasina highlighted the aftermath of the blockade-related violence saying, "She (Khaleda) is going on killing people for personal reasons, not for national issues.
"She will be tried in the same way a killer is tried."
Government figures show at least 27 people have been killed in blockade-related violence since Jan 5 when Khaleda announced the agitations.
The casualties are likely to go up after the BNP chief on Monday said the programme would continue.
The government says it will reward citizens if they catch saboteurs.
Opposition Leader Raushon Ershad earlier urged the government to take stern measures to prevent violence.
Awami League MP Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim called for outlawing the BNP as a militant group.
"Arrest Khaleda Zia and try her for sedition and crimes against humanity," he demanded.
Former law minister Abdul Matin Khasru and Food Minister Qamrul Islam were of the same view.
Hasina said: "What Khaleda Zia is doing is sheer terrorism... it's not demonstration.
"There will be no place for militants in Bangladesh, we'll uproot it."
She said her government was showing restraint.
"We'll do whatever it takes for the people's safety," the prime minister asserted.
Awami League MPs snubbed the BNP's demand for a dialogue claiming the party was involved with terrorism.
They alleged its agitations were aimed at saving war criminals since most of the war crimes convicts are from the BNP and its ally Jamaat-e-Islami.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed contended that Khaleda's agitations did not have the people's support as it was "against Bangladesh".
Hasina, also the Awami League president, urged the people to thwart saboteurs.
"We cannot allow militants in Bangladesh... Everyone is living peacefully here... But some don't seem to like it.
"I will not allow Bangladesh to become a militant state no matter what," the prime minister thundered.