PM Urges BNP to Stop Destructive Acts

"The hands of those who want to go to play with fire are burnt - it is the reality and such incidents happened. It seems to that they staged the incidents intentionally to call hartal to evade appearance of Khaled Zia in the court on January 15," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a reception to the Bangladesh National Female Cricket Team for their recent success in different international tournaments including the Asian Games.

Bangladesh Women Cricket Team won the silver medal in the Asian Games held in Inchon in South Korea last year. Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan Papon also spoke on the occasion highlighting the Bangladesh's eve cricket team's success in different international tourneys.

Directors of the BCB were also present at the function held at Ganobhaban, the official residence of the Prime Minister, here tonight.

Sheikh Hasina said that the political party who did mistake in taking decision is now taking revenge on the people by impeding education, sports and games and progress of the country through burning people to death and unleashing destructive acts.

"The common people, day-laborers are the worst sufferers due to their destructive acts. I hope that peace would return and good sense will prevail among them and stop playing with fire," she said.

The Prime Minister said her government after assuming office this time had run the country smoothly over the last one year. As a result, she said, the country witnessed economic development and the people were in peace and comfort.

"But, it is not all acceptable to anyone that all on a sudden someone would unleash destructive acts and burn people to death in the name of movement," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the BNP is now committing such crimes by kicking on the belly of commoners, day-labourers. "This is not acceptable to anyone and it can't continue to happen," she said.

The Prime Minister said that the country's people want peace, better life and it was Awami League which proved that it can ensure such things.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has already tackled many crises and "I have firm belief that we'll be able to restore peace and security among the life of people," she added.

Regarding the government's steps for development of sports and games, the Prime Minister said that the branches of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP) would be set up in all divisions of the country gradually.

"Besides, a big stadium in tourist town Cox's Bazar having capacity of one lakh spectators and facilities all disciplines of sports would be built," she said.

The Prime Minister assured that female players would be given due encouragement alongside the male players not only in cricket, but also in other sporting disciplines.

"If the female players get better scope, they could do better and they have proved that. I'm really proud of their feat and hope they would do better in future," she added.

Sheikh Hasina also hoped that all kinds of sporting disciplines would spread across the country massively so that the youths, children and teenagers get scope for sports alongside practicing cultural activities.

Later, the Prime Minister handed over a cheque for Taka one lakh and a gift to each of the 15 members of the female cricket team, led by Salma Khatun.