Anarchy attempts to face strict action under law: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday warned that anyone attempting to create anarchy in the country by exploiting various crises left behind by the previous authoritarian government will face strict action under the existing laws.

He made the remarks at a discussion organised at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the capital on Saturday evening to mark the 48th founding anniversary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The party’s acting secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed presided over the programme.

The prime minister said the government wanted to build a humane state and sustainable democracy where people would have the right to express themselves.

“But we have noticed that some individuals and political parties are trying to spread confusion and create anarchy in the country by exploiting the problems left behind by the previous government,” he said.

Referring to the previous 16 years of authoritarian rule, Tarique Rahman said a political party had gone underground during the authoritarian regime.

“Are the authoritarian forces now hiding among those underground elements and trying to fuel this anarchy?” he asked.

“I want to make it clear to those who seek to spread confusion and create anarchy that the people of the country have entrusted this government with the responsibility of running the country. We will uphold democratic norms and practices,” he said.

“But if anyone wants to create anarchy, the law provides for how such situations should be controlled. Everyone should remain within their respective limits,” he added.

Acknowledging the ongoing fuel crisis and electricity shortages, the prime minister said the government had inherited a fragile economy and energy system.

“I apologise on behalf of the party to ordinary people and industrialists suffering from power shortages,” he said.

However, he said the government did not want to make excuses and was implementing a plan aimed at ensuring that such crises did not recur in the future.