DHAKA: There are around 40 militant organizations in the country including Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Jama`atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and so on.

The lawyer of the Apex court of the country Barrister Abdur Rashid was addressing a program at capital’s Radisson Hotel, titled “Threats of militancy: Bangladesh’s reflections” organized by Bangladesh Centre for Peace and Development.

He showed some strategies where he explained how the organizations were responsible for thousands of casualties, attacking on the minorities and huge destruction in the country.

Barrister Rashid also emphasized to be aware on preventing these organizations and halting their activities in the country.

On the other hand, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Dr Mizanur Rahman said that if the ruling Awami League-backed lawmakers as well as leaders of 14-party alliance can practice impartial politics only then we can get rid of militancy.

He said, “Leaders should go to the people. They have failed to win the heart of the people. First phase Upazila elections is the attestation of that. How can they get such huge support from people after staging such kind of rampage, killing hundreds of people? The government needs to look into the matter. Prevent the militancy and elimination of the element from the country is the most important job for the government.”

Dr Mizanur also said that human rights are facing many fatal threats and this is one of the main reasons behind militancy. Necessary steps should be taken by the government shortly to avert such hazard against humanity, he added.

The editor of Daily Samakal Golam Sarwar, Editor of Daily Bhorer Kagoj Shyamal Dutta, famous journalist Abed Khan, Editor of Daily Bangladesh Protidin Naem Nizam, Lawyer of Supreme Court Barrister Tania Ameer, Acting Chairman of Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee Shahriar Kabir and others were also present there.

BDST: 1332 HRS, FEB 22, 2014