Security to be reviewed before future tours of cricket team: PM

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said Bangladesh will send its cricket team to any touring country in the future after examining and reviewing security measures there, reports news agency UNB.

"In the future, whenever we send our cricket team, we'll do that after examining and reviewing the security measures there," she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the four-lane second Kanchpur Bridge on the Shitalakkhya river, four-lane flyover in Bhulta and a railway overpass in Latifpur on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway through videoconferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.

Hasina also said Bangladesh always ensures high security whenever any foreign cricket team come here. "We ensure their appropriate security and we'll always do that," she added.

Several members of Bangladesh national cricket team narrowly escaped terror attacks on mosques in Christchurch of New Zealand that left 49 mosque-goers dead on Friday.

Condemning the terrorist attacks in New Zealand, Hasina said there is nothing more heinous than killing people while they are performing their prayers.

"I hope the world community will not only condemn this incident, but also take steps to eliminate militancy and terrorism forever."

The prime minister said she always believes that militants and terrorists have no religion, country or nation. "They're just terrorists, and actions have to be taken against them considering them as terrorists."

Hasina mentioned that Bangladesh, with its hectic efforts, managed to protect the country from militancy and terrorism although many people raise many questions.

"Militancy and terrorism can never bring any good to anyone, except bad things," she said.

Talking about religious liberty in Bangladesh, the prime minister said this is the right of all people as the country has properly established this religious right. "The people of all religions can perform their respective rituals here freely."