No compromise with terrorism, militancy: PM
The war crimes trials are being held following the nation's wish and the government will not put up with terrorism and militancy in the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Wednesday.
"We've purged the country of terrorism and militancy. We'll not tolerate terrorism and militancy on the soil of the country," she said in a programme of Bangladesh Armed Forces at Senakunja.
"The trial of the war criminals is going on in line with the expectations of the nation," she added.
Hasina made the remarks when activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir have been attacking the police for what the government foiling trial of top Jamaat leaders charged with war crimes.
Jamaat says the law enforcers are barring their 'peaceful' programmes leading to violence.
Addressing the programme on the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, the Prime Minister also referred to different projects her government had taken for development of the armed forces.
Hasina said founding President and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid a strong base of the armed forces.
She also spoke about activities of the government she had formed in 1996 to intensify the manpower in the armed forces and to improve their skills.
"After forming the government in 2009, we have taken an effective plan to equip the armed forces with the means to face the challenges of the 21st century."
Hasina said that the government was
purchasing sufficient number of armoured personnel carriers and ambulances for Bangladesh Army troops working in the UN Peacekeeping Missions.(definately russian)
The government for the first time
took initiative to purchase medium-range surface-to-air missiles and multi-launch rocket system to
upgrade T-69 tanks and repair the landing craft. ( they are going for a multi layered air defence
)
Speaking about the Navy, she said: "Two maritime helicopters have already been added to the naval aviation to ensure security of our vast maritime boundary.
Two more maritime petrol aircraft are joining the Navy's fleet by next February and April." (dornier 228)
Two new Large Petrol Craft (LPC) made by China would arrive by next January and
the issue of purchasing submarine for Bangladesh Navy was under consideration. (god dammit, no decision as of now
)
Hasina said her government upgraded the Navy into a three-dimensional force. "This force will soon be a four-dimensional one once the submarine is included."
The Prime Minister highlighted the government's measures to build a strong, professional and modern Bangladesh Air Force and said that a good number of F-7BGI fighter planes would join the fleet to increase its capacity.
Some MI-171 series helicopters were also being procured,
she added. (as dicussed before three were ordered)
The work for setting up a number of air defence radars in different bases of the Air Force would be completed soon, she said.
"Besides protecting the country's independence and sovereignty, the members of the armed forces are always taking part in managing disasters, serving mankind and conducting various nation-building and pro-people activities."
Hasina also wished eternal peace of those killed during the bloody BDR mutiny in the border guards' headquarters in February 2009.
The government considered the trial of the brutal massacre with much importance, she said. Special tribunals have already tried 18,520 mutineers.
"Charge-sheet against those accused for serious crimes like murder during the mutiny has been submitted. We hope that the trial will be completed soon," the Prime Minister added.
She said the government achieved progress in different sectors like economy, power and energy, education and health.
"The economy was very weak when we took the office in 2009. The price hike was skyrocketing. We've kept the prices of the daily essentials within the reach of the common people."