MP Liton’s killers will get stringent punishment: HPM Sheikh Hasina

"The brutal killing of Liton is no way acceptable. We take stern stance against the militants and miscreants so the killers will be identified to ensure trial," Sheikh Hasina told parliament while speaking on an obituary reference on Liton.

"The killers will not be spared," she said.

The Prime Minister said, "The anti-liberation forces are out to take revenge as we are trying war criminals that's why they have embarked on an evil design to eliminate the Awami League lawmakers and leaders who have strong footings in their areas. Annihilating the popular Awami League leaders is their movement."

Sheikh Hasina said that her government would ensure security of the countrymen including the lawmakers.

"Let everybody stay safe, we must try our best to ensure it," she promised.

Lauding the role of Liton, the Prime Minister said the lawmaker stood against the destructive activities of the BNP-Jamaat and did not allow war criminal Ghulam Azam to hold public meeting there.

"It may be was his big mistake. As he ensured peace in his area, he had to pay his life," she said.

The Prime Minister said when the country has been marching forward in all aspects and the government has been trying the war criminals, such incidents are being staged to take revenge.

"This is the style of BNP-Jamaat's movement. But measures will be taken to avert recurrence of such incident," she said.

Portraying the BNP-Jammat's mayhem, the Prime Minister said the BNP-Jamaat turned the northern region into a safe den for the militants.

Violent activities were carried out in Gaibandha and adjacent areas in 2013 and 2015, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said when the people built resistance against such violent activities, Liton led the people from the front.

"Liton ensured peace in the area foiling the fire-bombing of the miscreants. That's why he was targeted," she said.

The Prime Minister bashed a section of media, which put wide coverage over the shooting incident of Liton to tarnish his image.

An eight-year-old boy Sourav Mia was injured with bullets allegedly from the pistol of Liton at Gopalcharan village in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha.

"Why did Liton open fire? The family of Sourav has a link with the Awami League. Basically, miscreants staged an ambush to kill Liton. Sensing the danger, Liton opened fire in the air to save his life," she said.

"Basically, he opened fire for self-defense. Instead of publishing the news on that perspective, media aired the news widely highlighting the firing incident," she said.

The Prime Minister said she felt hurt as the firearm of Liton was ceased.

"He used to say that he himself has to ensure his safety or he will be killed. But all the firearms, belong to his family, were ceased. The police security was also withdrawn due to polls. The killers took the chance and killed him at his home," she said.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, noted parliamentarian Suranjit Sengupta, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, chief whip ASM Firoz, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, State Minister Shahriar Alam and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, whip Mahabub Ara Gini, AKM Shamim Osman, Mir Shawkat Ali Badsha and Jatiya party lawamker Kazi Firoz Rashid spoke on the motion.

The speakers criticised a section of media outlets for their stories on Liton.

Amid a strong demand of the lawmakers, home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal told parliament that law enforcing agencies have been working relentlessly to nab the killers of Liton.

"The faces of the killers and masterminds must be unmasked," he said.

Kamal said that Liton led the people to build resistance against the acts of violence and did not allow Ghulam Azam to enter in his area.

"These may be the factors for his killing. But the real matter would be revealed through the investigation," he said.

Accusing BNP chief Khaleda Zia for the killing of Liton, Suranjit told parliament that Liton fought against the acts of violence and communalism.

"The mastermind of the killing is BNP leader Khaleda Zia. She is the leader of all evil forces," he said.

The Deputy Speaker in an emotion choked voice said that Liton was killed in a planned manner.

"The media seemed announced a war against Liton over the shooting incident. The ceased firearm of Liton was not released despite hectic efforts. He might not face the ill fate if he had the arms," he said.