Insurgency will see zero tolerance: PM

Reiterating the government's "zero tolerance policy" against terrorism and militancy, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said none would be allowed to use Bangladesh for conducting insurgent activities against any country.

"We won't tolerate any sort of insurgency in Bangladesh... We want a peaceful atmosphere in this region," she told visiting Power, Rural and Urban Development and Transport Minister of Indian State of Tripura Manik Dey in her official residence Gono Bhaban in the capital.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters that Hasina was happy because officials of Bangladesh and India finalised tariff and other issues regarding importing 100 megawatt electricity from Tripura.

She hoped that both sides would soon complete the remaining formalities to start the electricity supply.

The Tripura minister said Tripura will soon start the electricity supply and the state government is constructing a power plant at Monarchar in Tripura near Comilla border of Bangladesh.

Regarding trade and industrialization, Hasina said Bangladesh is now the most attractive destination for investment and her government has undertaken steps to establish 100 economic zones to boost further industrialisation and generate employment in the country.

Setting up of border haats along Bangladesh-India frontier is playing a significant role in boosting bilateral trade, she added.

Focusing on connectivity, the premier said Bangladesh wants to reopen the rail routes connecting Bangladesh and India which remained closed since the 1965 war. Her government has taken initiatives to set up dual gauge rail tracks from Chittagong to Dhaka to enhance connectivity and communications, she mentioned.

The Tripura minister said, "Bangladesh achieved unprecedented development in road connectivity."

Highlighting the potentiality of the Chittagong Sea Port, she said India can use the port for enhancing bilateral trade and commerce.

The prime minister recalled the invaluable contribution of India and its people during the Liberation War of 1971 and expressed gratitude to the then Indian premier, government and people, particularly to the Tripura state government and its people.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu, PM's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, and Power Division Secretary Monwarul Islam were present, among others.