'Govt using jobless fanatic youths for suicide attacks'

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina speaks at a discussion marking the 68th death anniversary of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Hasina, also president of Awami League (AL), said the people now want an end to militancy, corruption and misrule of the government.

She blamed the prime minister for the rise of militancy in the country.

"As long as the alliance government will remain in power, the militancy would not be curbed," she added.

Hasina was speaking at a discussion marking the 66th birth anniversary of Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni, founder chairman of Bangladesh Awami Jubo League, at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh in the city.

Jubo League organised the discussion.

The AL chief accused the Jamaat-e-Islami of harbouring militants.

Jamaat wants to destroy the country's hard-earned independence, she added.

Hasina said Islam never encourages bomb blasts or suicide attacks, but the alliance government has been using a section of unemployed fanatic youths to commit suicide bombings.

She alleged that the Hajj pilgrims would not be able to perform Hajj in time this year due to mismanagement of the alliance government. She said one Hajj pilgrim died due to mismanagement at the Hajj camp.

Hasina said Moni was a great organiser and he had a great contribution to the liberation war.

She asked Jubo League workers to go to every village to make the people aware of the alliance governments' immense corruption, misrule and patronisation of militants.

Chaired by Jubo League Chairman Jahangir Kabir Nanak, the discussion was also addressed by Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim MP, Mirza Azam MP, AL Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader, Editor of The Independent Mahabubul Alam, Prof Abdul Mannan Choudhury, Sylhet City Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran, Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh, Abul Bashar, Mohiuddin Ahmed Mohi, Nurunnabi Chowdhury Shaon and Moinul Hossain Khan Nikhil.