October 10, 2019
Protests have flared in the wake of the murder of a student at a prominent Bangladesh university over a Facebook post critical of Dhaka’s water-sharing deal with India, allegedly by members of the ruling party’s student wing; PM Sheikh Hasina has responded by saying the university can ban student politics on campus if it wants and clarified the terms of the India pact.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the authorities of Bangladesh university of engineering and technology (Buet) can ban student politics on the campus if the university wants to do it.
“If Buet thinks, it can ban (student politics). We will not interfere,” she said responding to query about her stance over the recent demand of banning student politics following Buet student Abrar Fahad’s murder.
The premier, however, ruled out the possibility of banning student politics in the country saying that student politics cannot be prohibited following a single incident.
She was addressing a press conference at her Gono Bhaban residence in Dhaka about the outcome of her recent official visits to USA and India.
The culprit is the culprit
Talking about the murder of Abrar, the prime minister warned of taking stern action against the killers irrespective of their political identities.
“Whatever the political identity of the offender, maximum punishment will be ensured,” she said.
The premier also said, “We will not consider anyone even if it is Chhatra League. The murderers will be tried. The culprit is the culprit.”
Stating that the trial of Abrar’s killers must be held, she said, “It’s necessary to feel the pain of a mother or a father who lost their children. I understand it as I lost all my father, mother and brothers.”
Drive at every hall of educational institutions
The prime minister said she will ask the law enforcers to search all residential halls and educational institutions to find out regularities.
“No hooliganism (Mastani) will be tolerated at any residential hall,” she said while talking about the murder of Buet student Abrar Fahad.
India to get an insignificant amount of water from Feni River
Sheikh Hasina said the amount of water India will get from the Feni river is insignificant and it will only be for the drinking purpose.
“Whatever water we’ll give India is very insignificant. If anyone seeks water for drinking purpose and if we don’t give, it doesn’t look good,” she said.
She said her government has already discussed with India about the water sharing of the Monu, Mohuri, Khowai, Gomuti, Dharla and Dudhkumar Rivers.
“Discussion is on over the water sharing of the Teesta River,” she said.
Responding to the criticism of BNP leaders over the deal of Feni River, she said Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia during their tours to India could not strike any deal over the water sharing of the River Ganges.
“How could the party (BNP) talk about the issue of Feni River?” she questioned.
Not natural gas, Bangladesh will sell LPG to India
The prime minister also said Bangladesh will export liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India after bottling the imported gas.
“We import LPG in bulk, then we bottle it and supply throughout the country according to our demand. We’ll export part of the excess LPG to Tripura of India,” she said.
Vested quarters have been criticising the government saying that Bangladesh is going to sell natural gas to India, she said.
Talking about the LPG export deal with India, the Prime Minister said she can never compromise on the interest of the country and everyone should know it.