No Chance Will Be Given to Create a Political Crisis by Unrest in the Hills, Says Rashed Khan
Rashed Khan, political assistant to the prime minister, has said no opportunity will be given to create a murky situation in the hills and manufacture a political crisis.
He made the remarks on Friday afternoon in Jhenaidah town, answering questions from journalists present while exchanging greetings with local people after Jumu'ah prayers.
Rashed Khan said the hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts belong to Bangladesh. He alleged that some neighbouring countries have been conspiring over the hill region for years.
He said some terrorist groups in the hills are being trained in neighbouring countries. His question was: where are they getting modern weapons from?
He warned that no such attempt would be allowed to succeed. The patriotic army is alert and active in protecting the country's sovereignty, he added.
He also criticised the opposition-announced long march programme in Khulna Division. According to him, the Jamaat-NCP alliance's long march did not succeed before, and the Khulna Division long march is also unlikely to succeed.
Rashed Khan further said the 11-party unity alliance no longer exists with Jamaat. Two parties have already left, and he claimed more of Jamaat's partner parties will leave in the days ahead.
Before his remarks on Friday, he offered Jumu'ah prayers at the Public Health Jame Mosque in Jhenaidah town, located at the Chuadanga intersection. After prayers he exchanged greetings with local residents.
Local people were present while he spoke to journalists. The prime minister's political assistant answered various political questions in between exchanging greetings.
His comments on the hill region came at a time when the situation in the hills is being discussed in political circles. He reiterated the government's firm stance on protecting sovereignty.
His remarks on the opposition alliance's long march also made clear that the government side does not see the programme as one capable of succeeding. His claim about partner parties leaving the alliance may also fuel further political discussion.
After the brief programme in Jhenaidah, Rashed Khan's statements became a topic of discussion in local and national politics.
