Some people who are thinking of assuming power over dead bodies are very inhuman, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday.
“I don’t see such brutality anywhere else as those who want to assume power through killing people. It’s beyond imagination to think,” she said while addressing the Armed Forces Day-2023 Reception at Senakunja at Dhaka Cantonment.
Sheikh Hasina said, “I don’t know... my question is why people are burnt alive and killed? I still don’t understand why buses are being torched and state properties are being destroyed.”
She said that the government is facing one challenge after another such as Covid-19. “We dealt with that,” she said, adding that the government has to deal with various kinds of troubles, particularly arson violence.
Expressing her desire for bringing peace, Sheikh Hasina said, “We want peace not only within the country but also in the region and across the globe.”
“Our foreign policy is very clear - friendship with all, malice to none,” she added.
Mentioning that Bangladesh is a country of peace, the prime minister said, “When people were in peace, they were relieved and finding a ray of hope and moving forward; at that time, fire, terrorism, strikes and blockades are disrupting people’s lives again; (it is) throwing (people) into a panic and danger; This is the saddest thing.
”Sheikh Hasina said she wants those who are doing these things to get back their good senses. “Instead of doing these destructive acts, let them join the democratic trend, keep their trust and believe in the people.”
Expressing her hope to advance the country further, Sheikh Hasina said, “I’ve lost my parents and brothers. I have neither to lose nor to gain anything.”
“But for the people of Bangladesh, since my father has struggled his entire life, we want to take this Bangladesh forward,” she added.
The prime minister said that today Bangladesh has got the status of a developing nation as per the plan of her government. “Our journey as a developing nation will begin in 2026.”
She went on saying “We’ve already started working on the plan. My only goal is that no one can stop this indomitable progress of Bangladesh.”
Urging the armed forces to get ready at all times, the prime minister said, “We don’t want war with anyone. We only want peace.”
“But, we must always keep in mind that to protect our country from external attacks, we must have proper preparations to protect our independence and sovereignty,” she added.
Sheikh Hasina said, “Our armed forces will work as a round-the-clock vanguard to protect the independence and sovereignty of our country.”
Highlighting the initiative of the Awami League government to strengthen the armed forces, she said that the armed forces are always active and strong enough for maintaining peace.
Praising the armed forces, Sheikh Hasina said that “our armed forces stand by the people at the time of any natural disaster or state of emergency.”