Had apprehension that BNP-Jamaat would unleash such attacks: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (24 July) said she had an apprehension that the BNP-Jamaat nexus might unleash destructive activities across the country to cripple the economy and hold back the nation's march towards prosperity.

"They [BNP-Jamaat] tried to prevent us from holding the national election, but we held it. Then they thought the election would not be accepted by all, but it was accepted. Finally, we formed the government. But I had an apprehension that there would be a strike like this," she said.

The prime minister was exchanging views with editors and heads of news of various media outlets at a meeting organised by the Editors' Guild at her office.

Hasina mentioned that before and after the election in 2013-14 the BNP-Jmaat clique unleashed arson attacks and killings that left hundreds of people killed and thousands injured.

"It was a little bit understandable that the [activities and movement of the students] was a grave conspiracy," she said.

But, she said, "I did not want to see any incident which might lead to an unwanted situation creating instability in the country.

"It was a target to destroy the country's economy," she said.

She questioned the level of understanding of the people who supported the recent mayhem designed to cripple country's advancement and prosperity.

Hasina, also the chief of Awami League, said the only goal of the vested quarter is to harm the country's independence and halt the continuation of democracy that Bangladesh has been enjoying for the past 15 years.

She reiterated that she never intended to deploy army personnel in the field while the students were there for the sake of their security.

"When they [students] declared that they are not involved in the ongoing subversive activities then we called the army," she said.

She also said she did not want to impose curfew as the country has been passing through a democratic environment for 15 years.

She requested the people to resist those who have done this harm to the country.

"They have destroyed all the structures built for their welfare and livelihood. They have struck all those structures. Who will be the worst sufferer? Of course the mass people will suffer. Now it is the responsibility of the mass people to resist these terrorism and militancy," she said.

She put emphasis on creating mass awareness against the militancy that unleashed the destructive activities.

"If the people do not become aware then what could we do or how much we could do alone," she wondered.

She also mentioned that the targets of this recent mayhem were the Awami League, freedom fighters and pro-liberation forces.

The prime minister said when all the demands of the students agitating for quota reformation were accepted why they provided scope to the militants for carrying out such heinous activities.

"One day the quota-reform movement activists have to answer to the nation: why they gave such opportunity to them for causing such ruins to the country," she said.

PM's Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan moderated the programme.

Editors' Guild president Mozammel Babu, senior journalist Abed Khan, Bangladesh Pratidin editor Nayeem Nizam, DBC TV CEO Monzurul Islam, Bhorer Kagoj Editor and Jatiya Press Club general secretary and Bhorer Kagoj Editor Shymol Dutta,  Jugantor Editor Saiful Alam, Jatiya Press Club president Farida Yasmin, Dhaka Journal chief editor Syed Istiaque Reza, Head of News Nagorik TV Dip Azad, Amader Somoy Editor Mainul Alam, Bangladesh Journal editor Shajahan Sarder, DBC news editor Zayedul Ahsan Pintu, Ashish Saikat of Independent TV, Bangla Tribune editor Zulfiquer Russell, head of News of 71 TV Shakil Ahmed, editor Energy and Power Mollah Amzad, Head of News of Kings News Nazmul Huq Saikat and Mamunur Rahman Khan of RTV were present.