Militancy drag on development

Militancy and fundamentalism must be eliminated for the country's progress, speakers told a seminar yesterday.

Bangladesh has already reached new heights of development in sectors like economy, infrastructure, and agriculture, but militancy will thwart the progress, they viewed.

The seminar, "Seven Years of Change", was organised by the ruling Awami League (AL) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital.

Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman said if militancy and fundamentalism could not be eliminated, the country would not reach its destination. He also laid stress on strengthening democratic institutions and democratic process for overall development of the country. 

Presiding over the discussion, prime minister's political adviser HT Imam urged people to jointly resist terrorism.

Former Supreme Court judge AHM Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik called for punishing the people who perpetrated violence and arson attacks last year.

Eminent lawyer Tania Amir said fighting militancy needed the government's policy action, education, and rule of law.

Economist Dr Binayak Sen suggested that there should be a bridge between the government and intellectuals to further the development agenda.

Professor Emeritus AK Azad Chowdhury presented a paper featuring the government's successes in the last seven years.