Containing militancy
Former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia recently said that the country is now free from militants, and militancy does not exist any more. She means all militants were arrested during the BNP-led 4 party alliance government's rule.
Well there is no doubt about it as Shaikh Abdur Rahman , Mufti Hannan and many others were arrested and brought to Justice. The Bangladesh government can cheer as the country has been dropped from the United States' watch list of the countries deemed to violate minority rights and deny religious freedom. Positively, anyone could exercise his/her religious rights in Bangladesh without fear. Militants and militancy were more than just an issue. The BNP-led government was able to make a dent in it. It is all good and credit goes to the last BNP government.
We congratulate the United States Congressional Panel's decision as Bangladesh is removed from the list for 2009. I personally would like to remind them that during the Awami League rule from 1996 to 2001 militancy actually increased.
The Awami League, regrettably, was unable to control militancy during their rule.
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