Will teach 'terrorist organisation' BNP lesson they need to be taught: PM

• "When Trump and Biden sit down and hold dialogues, I will also hold dialogue [with the opposition]," the PM said
• She said she would "burn the hands of those who start the fire."
• The election will take place be on time, she said
• "The same way Israel attacked Palestinians in hospitals, BNP is also attacking hospitals here. Among the two, I don't see any difference," she said
• By December, RMG workers' minimum wage will be raised, she said
• She said her visit to Brussels was very fruitful and Bangladesh's partnership with the European Union reached new height

The violence and arson carried out by the BNP on 28 October proves that it is a "terrorist organisation", said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Speaking at a press briefing on her Brussels visit at the Gonobhaban on Tuesday (31 October), she said, "The BNP does not want elections, they want to create chaos. The BNP is a terrorist organisation and they will be taught the lesson they need to be taught."

On a question of whether a special tribunal would be set up after the election to quickly dispose of cases against arsonists, the prime minister said, "The arsonists got bail and now move around freely. Some still have cases pending. Now in our country, cases take time. 

"We are thinking of how to quickly give out punishments. We can't allow these arsonists to roam freely."

Pointing to the violence, she said the BNP had engaged in such atrocities before in 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

"Those who are carrying out these activities, I urge the people to hand them over to the police. Last time it was people who stopped them and this time we expect the people to do the same," she said.

"The BNP need to be asked what they wish to achieve from this…their problem is they don't have a leader. We made Digital Bangladesh and they have gone underground using it.

Regarding a dialogue with the opposition, she said, "How can we meet and discuss with murderers who can kill people. People will not want dialogue with murderers."

She said, "Is Biden having a dialogue with Trump? The day they have a dialogue, I will also have a dialogue [with the opposition]."

Asked about the next national election, she said, "The election will happen and will be on time. I don't care who says or does what."

'Won't let them get away'

During the question and answer session of the briefing, the issue of the 28 October violence repeatedly came up.

In response to a question of how to deal with the violence, she said she would "burn the hands of those who start the fire."

"I won't let them get away. They won't be able to stop the elections… the people are with us. You can't harm the people in the name of politics."

Asked why the BNP-Jamaat was not talking about the war in Palestine, the PM said, "For whose interests are they keeping silent? It seems that there is a good understanding between Israel and the BNP. 

"The same way Israel attacked Palestinians in hospitals, BNP is also attacking hospitals here. I don't see any difference between the two."

She again reiterated that she stood by the oppressed people in Palestine.

'Mian Arefy was hired'

On Mian Arefy, the so-called adviser to US President Joe Biden who became highly discussed following his appearance at a press conference at the BNP's office on 28 October, she said, "The way they hosted him, gave him the chance to speak, the lies that were said… it look like they hired him to boost their [BNP] image."

When he was arrested, he confessed that he was hired, she added.

On (Retd) General Hasan Shahid Sohrawardi who was named in the case against Mian Arefy, she said, "He won't be spared. I have directed that he be arrested and questioned. We are looking for him. No matter who he is – we will deal with him."

Earlier on Sunday, a case was filed against Mian Zahidul Islam Arefy, on charges of committing treason by destabilising the country by resorting to lies. The case was filed with Paltan Model police station against Arefy, as well as BNP leaders Ishraque Hossain and retired Lt Gen Hasan Surwardy, accusing them of endorsing his speech.

On disinformation spread on social media users, TikTokers and Youtubers, she said, "We formulated the Cyber Security Act. There will be a provision to look into how people are using the digital world. If someone is using it to incite or harass people, that would be stopped. 

"Many countries have taken harsh steps and we will also."

AL ensures RMG workers' rights

On the issue of garments' workers, she mentioned how the minimum wage was hiked to Tk3,500. "Then we raised it to Tk5,300. Then 8,300. In 14 years, we raised their wages thrice to Tk8,300."

She added, "We arranged day care centres for their children. When they could not get wages, I ensured they get it through their own mobile phones."

Acknowledging increasing prices of commodities, she said, "By December it [minimum wage] would be raised. These discussions are ongoing. Now they are taking to the streets…how can you burn factories, your means of livelihood?"

"I am saddened by the news of death in the garments' unrest."

Brussels visit fruitful

While reading out a written speech in the press conference on her visit to Brussels, the prime minister called the visit very fruitful saying Bangladesh's partnership with the European Union (EU) reached new heights during the visit, reports BSS.

"New doors of investment opportunities in renewable energy, connectivity, education and research, digital infrastructure and medical equipment manufacturing in Bangladesh have been opened up under the Global Gateway," she said.

She added: "Through my visit, I am hopeful that Bangladesh's bilateral relations with Belgium and Luxembourg will be deepened and areas of cooperation will be expanded."

She visited Brussels, the capital of Belgium, from 24 to 26 October to attend the Global Gateway Forum organised for the first time by the EU.