Sit together for strategy to fight militancy: Moudud

He was speaking at a discussion on 'recent situation of Bangladesh and our duty' organised by the Nationalist Writers' Forum (NWF) at the National Press Club in the city.

"If the opposition parties sat together and present their arguments whatever they had in mind, we could realise that they want solution," Moudud said, adding that if the militancy menace is not resolved, the constitution and democracy will be under threat.

He said the government is sincere and took strong steps to curb militancy. "Nobody will be spared in the combat against militancy and the government is working with uncompromising attitude."

The arrested militants will be tried under the Speedy Trial Act, he noted.

Indicating the Awami League he said the party opposed the BNP's formation of the government after the national election in 2001 and boycotted the parliament violating the democratic norms and then propagated abroad that Bangladesh was turning into a state of Talibans and fundamentalists.

Some quarters are backing and financing some other scattered people for bombings and the countrymen have now realised who are those quarters, he noted.

Former Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Emazuddin Ahmed blamed the government for its negligence in curbing the militancy in the beginning.

He stressed for mass awareness programme to explain the true teachings of Islam and that the suicide bombings can never bring any positive change to any country or regime.

Former State Minister Golam Sarwar Milon termed AL's rejection of dialogue proposal undemocratic and suggested for mainstreaming the madrasa education.

Dhaka Union of Journalists President Elahi Newaz Khan said, "There is nothing to be surprised if any anti-Bangladesh forces abuse the unemployed forces who graduate from the madrasas."

Presided over by NWF President Poet Shaheen Reza, Poet Abdul Hai Shikder, executive director of Nazrul Institute, moderated the discussion.

Justice Abdur Rouf, Major General Ibrahim (Rtd), Engineer Ashfaq Ahmed of Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, Dr Shaheed Hasan of Doctors' Association of Bangladesh, Babul Ahmed of Jatiyatabadi Sangskritik Sangsad and Poet Rezauddin Stalin also spoke on the occassion.