Be aware of BNP-Jamaat mayhem: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon the people to be aware of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami plans to unleash large-scale violence.

"The people need to ensure violence does not happen again," she told a ceremony to launch a photo album titled 'BNP-Jamaat Mayhem: Blood-stained Bangladesh' on Saturday.

More than 50 men and women victims of the violent days in the run-up to the 10th general election in January were present on stage at the Osmani Memorial Hall.

They included maimed, burnt victims and family members whose loved ones have been killed during the unrest.

According to official figures, 531 educational institutions across Bangladesh have been fully or partially damaged before and during the Jan 5 elections.

"Go ahead with your politics, but do not play with the lives of people," the prime minister said, in a jibe at her political rivals.

She said there was no public response to the BNP's agitation.

"So, they want bodies. Those who practise such politics do not believe in the Constitution and democracy.

“What will they do for the country, if they do not value people's lives?" the prime minister wondered.

Constable Hazrat Ali was killed when Jamaat supporters attacked the Bamandanga Police out post after the party’s Executive council member Delwar Hossain Sayedee was sentenced to death for war crimes on Feb 28 last year.

His widow Laila Khatun broke down in tears while addressing the event and fell unconscious at one point.

Ramzan Ali, father to ‘Monir’ burnt to death in Gazipur, constable Piyarul Islam wounded during Hifazat-e Islam’s May 5 rally, Helaluddin Piyaru wounded in Fatikchharhi, burnt lawyer Khodeja Nasrin, associate professor Mizanul Karim who was presiding officer at Gaibandha’s Kuntail centre were among those spoke of their experiences.

The prime minister began her speech saying: “Today is not about giving speeches. Thousands of these cases have happened across Bangladesh.”

Cabinet members, MPs were present at the book launch along with the ambassadors of Russia, India, China, Canada, Palestine, Vietnam, Vatican City, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, North Korea, Bhutan, Lybia and Egypt.

They were also shown a 16-minute documentary on BNP-Jamaat’s mayhem in 2013 at the beginning of the programme.

“We were working to make lives easier for hard-working people,” she said. “So what was the meaning of this obstruction?

“Why are we being attacked again and again and what for? I want to know.”

Seventeen policemen, two BGB troopers and two army intelligence officers died in the violence unleashed by the BNP and Jamaat, said the prime minister.

She promised that her Awami League party will always stand by the victims.

“I will help as long as I live. I can’t return to them what they lost but I can at least help them so they can at least live,” she said with a heavy voice.