Progress can't be stopped with bomb attacks: Hasina

Noting that the recent bomb attack on a Tajia procession was aimed at tarnishing Bangladesh's image, prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asserted the country's march forward cannot be stopped with such bombings, reports UNB news agency.

The prime minister made the statement while addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Dhaka WASA’s Padma (Jashaldia) water treatment plant construction (phase-1) project at a city hotel.
"Bangladesh is moving ahead and it'll do so. Let me say one thing, the march forward of Bangladesh can't be stopped by hurling two bombs or five eggs...those who're thinking this are making a mistake," she said.
At least one person was killed and about hundred others were injured in bomb explosions in front of Huseni Dalan in old Dhaka in early hours of 24 October. The blasts took place when members of the Shia community were gathering there to bring out their traditional Tajia procession, marking holy Ashura.
Sheikh Hasina said the motive behind this bomb attack was to taint Bangladesh's image at a time when the country has become a role model of development in the world.
About the prevailing religious harmony in Bangladesh, she said the people of the country believe in the slogan 'religion is personal, festival for everyone'.
"You saw the one who was killed and those got injured in this bomb blasts are Sunni, no one of them is of the Shia community," Hasina said.
The prime minister said all programmes and festivals in Bangladesh are observed by the people of all religions. "Then what does it mean by this attack? Why did this happen? Who did commit it, anyway? It's gradually becoming clear to people who have actually committed it," she said.
About terrorism, militancy and things like that, the prime minister said: "I want to spell it out clearly that there’ll be no room for militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh."
She sought the all-out cooperation of all in resisting the evil nexus.
Reiterating her note of warning, Hasina said her government never tolerated injustice and will never do it either. "This is our core principles," she said.
Indicating BNP-Jamaat alliance alleged involvement in the recent killing of two foreigners, Hasina said they had also tried to oust this government by burning people to death in the name of hartal and blockade, but failed.
Hasina said this is unfortunate that this quarter does not like to see the people pass their days in quite peace and the march forward of this country.
Local Government and Cooperatives Engineer Mosharraf Hossain presided over the function, while Managing Director of Dhaka Wasa Taksem A Khan gave welcome address.
Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Ma Mingqiang, chairman and president of China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd, constructing company of project, Luo Yan, and secretary of Local Government Division Abdul Malek also attended the function.
Later, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of the project through a videoconferencing.