Almost a terrorist attack to create Sri Lanka-like mayhem: PM Hasina on quota violence

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (31 July) likened the recent violence surrounding the quota reform protests in the country as "almost a terrorist attack" aimed at creating a situation like what had happened in Sri Lanka to oust her government.

"It was not a movement at all, and at one stage it almost turned into a terrorist attack," she said while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban.

PM's Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan briefed reporters afterwards, reports UNB.

He quoted the PM as telling the envoy, "Actually they (the anarchists) had planned to create Sri Lanka type violence and oust the government." 

Hasina expressed sorrow for the loss of lives and destruction of properties in the unrest centring the student movement for reformation of quota in public services.

While talking about relationship with the neighbouring countries, she said that doors of Bangladesh are open for strengthening connectivity among Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Indian envoy Verma, too, expressed condolence for the loss of lives during the recent violence.

He welcomed the normalcy that steadily is being restored, and the gradual resumption of economic activities in Bangladesh, according to the press secretary.

Verma said Bangladesh is the closest neighbour of India. New Delhi always gives support to the Bangladesh government and its people for implementation of Dhaka's Vision of a progressive and prosperous country.

The successful visit of Prime Minister Hasina in India achieved substantial outcomes which consolidated the past achievements and created a blue print for the future cooperation, he added.

"And based on the two countries' national development visions, Vision 2041 for Bangladesh and Vision 2047 for India, both countries entered into a new era of cooperation," the envoy said. 

PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman and Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin were also present at the meeting.

Appeal to the UN for investigation

Earlier in the day, the prime minister during a briefing at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center announced Bangladesh's appeal to the United Nations seeking support for a proper probe into the recent violence.

"We have appealed to the United Nations. There are various international organisations, especially abroad. We seek their assistance for proper investigation and punishment for those who are responsible," she said. 

The premier added that the lives lost during the violence can never be brought back even though the destroyed structures can be rebuilt.

"The structures that were destroyed can be rebuilt. But we will never get back the lives that were lost," she said.

Earlier on 30 July, the prime minister had said foreign technical assistance will be taken for the judicial probe committee formed by the government aimed at ensuring fair and standard inquiry of quota reform movement.

The government formed the Judicial Inquiry Committee with High Court Justice Khandaker Diliruzzaman to probe all the deaths centring on the quota reform movement in the country.

"I took the initiative instead of waiting for someone's demand. I have directed to include two more judges and enhance the scope of the probe," she told the media today.