Khaleda proposes new law against bomb attack

DHAKA, Friday (Xinhua) - Prime Minister and Leader of the House Begum Khaleda Zia Thursday proposed enactment of a stern law against bomb attack, bomb storage, bomb-making and collection of ingredients for bomb manufacture.

In a statement she made at the parliament on the August 17 bomb blasts across the country in which three people were killed and over 150 others injured, Khaleda Zia said many countries including the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, the Philippines, South Africa, Spain and Uganda had enacted new laws to curb terrorism after the September 11, 2001, the official news agency BSS reported Thursday.

In view of the global context, she said Bangladesh is also reviewing the existing laws and regulations and called for necessary restructuring of laws to uproot terrorism.

The prime minister sought support of all political parties, social, cultural and religious organizations and also the newspapers, radio and televisions towards enacting a befitting law against bomb attacks..

The prime minister identified those as the offenders of the August 17 bomb attacks who are trying to brand Bangladesh as a country plagued with religious fanaticism, opposed to accept the existence of the country as a Muslim majority liberal democratic nation.

In her half-an hour speech, she expressed her firm determination to haul specifically one after another by identifying those involved in this heinous crime detrimental to the interests of the state.

“Islam teaches us to protect the dignity of our holy religion, rights of the citizens and safeguard the sovereignty of the state, “ she said.

The main target of the bomb attackers, she added, was to weaken these three bases of the holy religion Islam.

The Prime Minister said the August 17 bomb attackers are trying to hide themselves under the cover of religion.

A section of those involved with the August 17 bomb attacks have been caught, she said, adding that efforts are on to arrest the main organizers of the bomb attacks.

Khaleda Zia expressed firm determination that her government would consider the bomb attackers and terrorists as offenders whatever be their identities. The bomb attackers and terrorists would not be able to hide themselves under any disguise and symbol, she added.

Describing bomb attack as a dangerous threat to the public safety, Khaleda Zia called for stopping bomb terrorism at any cost.

Attaching the highest priority to the question of public safety, she said the government would do everything possible to stop recurrence of bomb attacks and also to ensure security to life and properties side by side with dignity of the countrymen.

The prime minister assured the people of giving punishment to the offenders as per the laws of the land after finding them out at any cost by utilizing the country’s all capabilities and, if necessary, with the effective cooperation of Bangladesh’s friends abroad.