After taking oath as the prime minister for the third time, Sheikh Hasina yesterday said that she would never bow to any national or international pressures regarding
the just-concluded parliamentary polls.
“You know well that Sheikh Hasina does not succumb to any pressure whether it is national or international. The country is ours and the people are ours. We would do
whatever is needed for the welfare of the nation,” she said.
Hasina made the comments in her immediate reaction after taking oath as the prime minister at Bangabhaban in the afternoon.
She also sought cooperation from all to stop political violence and restore peace in the country as well as to run the new government.
UNB adds: Hasina also reiterated her call to BNP to stop destructive acts that are ‘impeding the normal life and livelihood of the people’ and to severe ties with
Jamaat-e-Islam.
“We want cooperation of all to run the new government. I told the BNP earlier and tell it again to shun the destructive acts like enforcing hartal and blockade and
burning the people to death and felling trees and to cut relations with war criminal Jamaat,” she said.
About dialogue with BNP, the prime minister said her government may take any steps for continuation of democracy. “We may take any steps for continuation of democracy
and we won’t face any trouble in this regard,” she said.
She, however, said, for this, BNP will have to stop terrorist acts and militancy first.
About the Teesta and enclave issues with India, the Prime Minister said the issue of land boundary agreement with India has already been resolved and a bill in this
regard has been placed in Indian parliament.
She said discussion with India about Teesta and enclave issues is underway. She said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may oppose the Teesta treaty as she
sees the issue from her own point of view and I think she should come forward with an attitude of understanding as a neighbour.
The Prime Minister said, “Any problems could be resolved through bilateral discussion and I have no objection to talk to Mamata Banerjee.”
Replying to a question about the much-awaited Padma Bridge, Sheikh Hasina said the construction work of the main bridge would start by June next. “The work on land
acquisition and approach road has already been finished and the work of the main bridge would begin by June next,” she said.
About the trial of war criminals, Sheikh Hasina said the trial of the 1971 culprits who committed crimes against humanity during the War of Liberation is underway.
“The verdicts are being announced and executed and it would continue,” she said.
Courtesy of The Independent
