Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Friday said trial of war criminals will start within a few days and offenders must be tried on the soil of Bangladesh.
Hasina who came here to distribute money among the cyclone Aila affected people for constructing houses made the remarks at a public gathering at Nakipur HC Pilot Model School.
Braving storm and rain here she distributed a total of Tk 96 crore among 48,000 Aila-hit families.
The Prime Minister said her government will take measures to improve the livelihood of the common people. “My politics is for you, for improving your standard of life,” she said, adding “I will repay the debt at the cost of my life for the mandate you have given to Awami League-led grand alliance in 2008 elections.”
Hasina said people in this region face natural calamities every year. As the cyclone Aila hit this region, she instructed the administration to stand by the affected people with relief materials. The government, she said, has given highest amount of relief to the victims.
She assured that damaged cyclone centres will be repaired and 100 new multi-purpose cyclone centres will be built in the district.
About the damaged embankment, the Prime Minister said the government would repair it but she urged the shrimp traders to make out a plan to use saline water through a particular point of the embankment instead of cutting the embankment indiscriminately.
“You will earn money from shrimp cultivation but you will not repair the embankment, it will not be acceptable,” she told shrimp traders. Also Hasina urged the local people to remain alert so that none can damage the embankment.
The Prime Minister said the government will take steps to remove water logging in the area and dredge the Kapatakkha river.
She also assured that initiatives would be taken to establish Satkhira Medical College and Technical Institute and preserve memories of the liberation war.
Besides, she said railway link between the Sunderbans and Navaron will be established and Bhomra land port will also be developed.
The Prime Minister said the government will ensure the people’s basic rights including education and healthcare. “Our only objective is to improve the social and economic status of the people,” she told the crowd.
The Prime Minister further urged the people to remain alert so that none can harm the green belt across the coastal areas as these forests help enormously to protect the people from flood and water upsurges.
She said apart from helping in agricultural production, the government will also provide all out cooperation to the Aila victims to earn their livelihoods through fish production and rearing domestic animals like cows, ducks and hens.
Hasina mentioned her government has introduced agriculture cards for the farmers and she has directed the ministry concerned to introduce such cards for the people live on fishing.
Food and Disaster Management Minister Dr Abdur Razzak, Health Minister Dr AFM Ruhul Huq and local leaders also spoke at the meeting.
(news link: http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=183581) |
