Killers of MP Liton will be given stringent punishment: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"We never allow killing of such a public representative in anyway ... the trial of Liton's killers must be held on the soils of Bangladesh and they would be given stringent punishment," she said.

In this connection, the premier once again directed the law enforcement agencies to hunt down the killers of Liton, who was shot dead at his home in Sundarganj upazila in Gaibandha on Saturday. "Our aim is to ensure peace and security for all," she said.

The prime minister was talking to cross section of the people of eight districts of Rangpur division through videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence here on Wednesday noon.

Through the videoconferencing, the premier talked to administrative officials, teachers, imams, farmers, workers, rickshaw-pullers, journalists, social workers, local public representatives and members of the law enforcement agencies to involve them more in the government's development activities as well as its ongoing campaign against militancy and terrorism.

As many as 31 lakh people of 6299 places of eight districts of Rangpur division were connected with the videoconferencing.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and lawmakers of Rangpur division including HN Ashiqur Rahman, Tipu Munshi, Nurul Isalm Sujon, Ramesh Chandra Sen and Motahar Hossain were present at Ganabhaban.

Besides, Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed, Education Secretary Md Sohrab Hossain, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present while PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury moderated the videoconferencing.

Recalling anti-Jamaat-Shibir role of Liton in Sundarganj, the prime minister said he used to resist the anti-liberation forces and give security to the people in his locality.

"Liton was brutally killed due to her anti-Jamaat-Shibir role and we won't tolerate this murder in anyway," she said.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina referred to mayhem and rampage unleashed by the Jamaat-Shibir in 2013 and 2014 as well as the first three months of 2015.

"We know well how the Jamaat-Shibir carried out mayhem and rampage in Sundarganj at that time by killing people and policemen, torching and vandalising houses, vehicles, shops and government offices," she said.

The premier said the people of the locality became victims of the torture and repression of Jamaat-Shibir and Liton put up a resistance against this.

Sheikh Hasina reiterated her call to the people of all strata to be vocal and wage a social movement against terrorism and militancy, saying that the twin demons never bring welfare.

'I would like to urge the people of all levels including guardians, teachers, students, imams to remain alert so that terrorism and militancy don't get any place in the country," she said.

Describing Islam as the religion of peace and harmony, the prime minister said there is no room for terrorism and militancy in it. "All will have to keep it in mind and wage a social movement against terrorism and militancy ... it has been proved that development becomes faster if peace is maintained," she said.

The prime minister reaffirmed her firm resolve to continue her government's ongoing drive against terrorism and militancy and requested people cutting across their professional and social backgrounds to stay alert against exposure to these social vices.

"We want Bangladesh would advance further and we would build it as a developed and prosperous country and I have firm belief that we could achieve the goal," she said.

The premier said she repeatedly was saying that there would be no room for terrorism and militancy in the country as peace was prerequisite for further socioeconomic uplift of Bangladesh.

The prime minister expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of the cases filed against the BNP-Jamaat culprits who were involved in mayhem and rampage including killing of people and police personnel in Sundarganj of Gaibandha, and directed the district police super to take necessary measures to further expedite actions.

The prime minister also sought cooperation of the people of all levels, public representatives side by side with civil and police administration to implement the ongoing development projects to build a hunger and poverty-free country.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is going to introduce a modern education system based on knowledge, science and technology and directed the students to give attention to their study to build themselves as worthy citizens.

While talking about the community health clinics, Sheikh Hasina urged the local people to remain vigilant so that these clinics are run properly and none could halt their activities in future.

In this connection, the premier said her previous government during 1996-2001 tenure established these clinics to reach health services to the people's doorsteps.

But after coming to power, she said, the BNP-Jamaat government shut down the community clinics due to political vengeance. "But whatever government comes to power, they won't be able to close down through announcement as these clinics are now community based facilities," she said.

In this connection, the premier urged all to remain alert against those who want to shut down these clinics so that they don't come to power. "They don't have rights to come power who do destructive and anti-people work, stop development work and who don't want people's welfare," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has been working for the welfare of people of all strata including farmers, workers and the persons with disabilities and has given attention so that the development takes place from the grassroots level.

Earlier, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of the 10-storey Dr Wazed International Research and Training Institute and the 10-storey Sheikh Hasina female dormitory at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur through videoconferencing from her official Ganabhaban residence here this morning.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid spoke at the function at Ganabhaban, while Begum Rokeya University Vice Chancellor Dr AKM Nurunnobi spoke from Rangpur.