Create awareness among people against terrorism and militancy: HPM Sheikh Hasina to govt. officials

"I would like to request to the field-level administrative officials to create awareness among the people so that their children don't get involve in terrorism and militancy," she said.

The premier said the path of terrorism and militancy is not the way of these children. "We want that every boy and girl would be well educated and lead a sound life ... they will develop the country and give leadership," she said, adding as a result their life would be beautiful.

The Premier gave the directives while addressing the annual conference of Bangladesh Administrative Service Association (BASA) at Parliament Members' Club at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital on Thursday evening.

Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was present at the function as the special guest, while Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam and President of BASA and Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury spoke on the occasion.

Secretary General of the BASA Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain delivered the welcome address.

Sheikh Hasina told the administrative officials, Islam is the religion of peace and it does not entertain terrorism and militancy in any way. "So I am giving responsibilities to you for creating mass awareness against these social menaces," she said.

The Premier said a section of people in the world are now defaming Islam through killing in the name of religion. "They are undermining the Islam with fanaticism in the whole world and polluting the holy region by killing human beings," she added.

Referring to the Gulshan cafe attack on July 1, the Prime Minister said when the government took the country to a new dimension through tremendous development, at that time this militant attack halted the entire nation.

She said, however, that the law enforcement agencies and the armed forces were able to overcome the situation within 10 hours due to their prompt action.

She said they rescued many of the hostages alive. Though 20 people, including foreigners, were brutally killed in the cowardly attack in the Holey Artisan Bakery, which is very regretful. "Despite that we have contained the militants," she said.

Pointing to the Kalayapur operation, Sheikh Hasina said another terrorist attack was going to happen in the capital. "But due to prior intelligence report and prompt and effective steps of the law enforcement agencies, the country averted a catastrophe," she said.

The Premier asked the officials of the administration to remain always ready to face country's any challenge in future and continue serving the people being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation.

"I hope that you have come out of the colonial administrative mindset and you would serve the people being imbued with the spirit of the War of Liberation and build your self-identity as public servants in future too," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also directed them to accomplish their responsibilities with utmost patriotism, sincerity and integrity to implement the government policies and plans.

The Premier said officials of the public administration from top position to grassroots level are the main strength of implementing policies and plans of the government and success and failure of the government mostly depend on their efficiency, sincerity, professionalism, initiative and spirit.

"So, officials of the administration will have to work using their sense along with legal framework," she said.

Mentioning that Bangladesh will be celebrating its golden jubilee of independence in 2021, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh won't be moving forward by that time relying and being dependent on others.

"We never want our identity as corrupt, terrorist and militant, since we've attained our independence and we're a victorious nation, we want to move ahead in the global arena as a dignified nation," she said.

The Premier said that Bangladesh has advanced a lot within a shorter period thanks to the use of modern information and technology and support from the civil administration.

She said that 'Digital Bangladesh' is not now a dream, rather a reality and it has given a new height to the country.

Referring to the allocation of about Taka 1.10 lakh crore in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the current fiscal year, Sheikh Hasina sought allout cooperation of the civil administration for smooth and speedy execution of the development projects.

In this connection, she blasted the BNP-Jamaat government saying that they did not even make a single step forward for ensuring country's development, rather were indulged in corruption, looting and money laundering.

Listing various steps of her government for strengthening the country's economy, Sheikh Hasina said that some 100 economic zones are being set up across the country to boost production, creating more employments and thus strengthen the economy.

She said that emphasis is being given on infrastructural development, since there would be no development, unless there is infrastructural development.

Talking about the progress in the power sector, Sheikh Hasina said that some 76 percent people are now getting electricity services through setting up of some 105 power plants adding, "We'll give power to every household and that's our goal,"

Reminding the officials of the civil administration that they are the officials of the administration of independent Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina also asked the officials to serve the common people even at the grassroots level as the 'servants' of people and thus ensure overall development of the country's people.

Citing again sheer discrimination in all tiers of civil and military services between the then East Pakistan and the West Pakistan according to a media report of the Dawn published on January 9, 1956, the Prime Minister said that such discrimination should be told time and again as this encourage the civil servants in their march towards progress.

She said that the Pakistani occupation forces could not suppress the Bangalees, adding, "We've proved that we're capable of tackling any situation,"

The Prime Minister said that Bangladesh Awami League is the lone party in the country which knows very well which is needed in every sector for which it framed many short, medium and long-term plans for supplementing the government's efforts towards building a prosperous country.