Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday rejected the possibility of declaring general amnesty for the militants and reiterated that her government will stop the bomb terrorism at any cost.
| Right. Starting any time now... |
"At this moment, there's no question of granting amnesty.
| "At any given moment in the future, of course, there will be..." |
The government is taking every necessary steps including amending the existing laws to stop the militant attacks. We won't show any mercy towards them [militants], they will be brought to book," leaders of the Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh (FNB) who met the premier yesterday quoted her as saying during the meeting.
| Hmmm... Anybody actually on trial yet? Hang anybody yet? Any 3- or 4-digit jail terms yet? |
She also said those who love the country and want to have it free of terrorism will join the national dialogue. "Alongside holding dialogue with different organisations, the government is carrying out its plans to curb terrorism, " she observed.
| "But, really, we like talking more than we like actually doing things. Doing things costs money. When all you do is talk, all you have to pay for is lunch." |
The NGO delegation urged the government to take a tougher line on the militancy and immediately arrest the kingpins of the militants. "We suggested the government contain the ongoing spate of blasts by whatever means it takes," Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, FNB chairman, told reporters after the meeting at the prime minister's office (PMO).
| That would mean arresting several highly placed ministers, of course, and scores, even hundreds, of holy men. Can't have that, y'know... |
The NGO leaders also proposed taking steps to stop the use of religion for partisan purpose in madrasas across the country.
| I'd start by coming down hard on any kind of religious persecution, but we know that won't happen. Watch what happens with the Ahmadis in a few days... |
Meanwhile, Ulemas at a separate meeting with Khaleda Zia the same day asked the government to stop 'harassing' the teachers and students 'in the name of searching the madrasas'.
| "Everybody knows we're against terrorism! If you don't knock it off, terrible things are gonna happen!" |
"We don't have any objection if the law enforcers should search a madrasa. If necessary, they may even take the madrasa chiefs along with them," Qazi Abu Horaira, general secretary of Jatiya Imam Samity, told reporters after the dialogue with the premier. He said the prime minister had told them that the law enforcers will not harass the students and teachers of madrasas.
| "Of course not! The little darlings! The country needs more holy men!" |
Over 200 Ulemas assured the prime minister that the four-party alliance will be even stronger in the next general election.
| "Don't worry! The fix is in!" |
They also pledged all-out support for the government. A number of leaders of Jatiyatabadi Ulema Dal, a front organisation of the ruling BNP, Islami Oikya Jote, and pro-Jamaat organisations were among the participants. A senior leader of a faction of Islami Oikya Jote (IOJ), a component of the ruling alliance, Emdadul Haque Araihazari, said three out of nine discussants at the meeting demanded the government recognise the Kawmi madrasas.
| "We ain't askin'! We're demandin'!" |
"The prime minister assured us that the issue will be discussed in future," the IOJ leader told journalists after the meeting.
The dialogue, which began on December 12 amid rejection by the 14-party opposition alliance and pro-opposition professional bodies, resumed yesterday after a four-day recess. |