Hasina terms writer’s attackers fanatics

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday termed ‘fanatics’ the attackers of writer Zafar Iqbal and urged all to keep their children away from militancy, terrorism and drug abuse. “Those who are committing these crimes are fanatics ... we earlier decided not to allow terrorism and militancy in the country, we’re conducting drives against drug abuse as well,” she said while presenting Bangabandhu Fellowship, National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship and research donations to students and researchers.She said the government wants the peaceful atmosphere to prevail in all educational institutions of the country.“Yesterday, an unwanted incident took place at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology campus where Dr Zafar Iqbal came under [knife] attack. I asked the Air Force to bring him to Dhaka and admit him to the Combined Military Hospital for his better treatment. His condition is stable now,” she said.A young man, aged around 24-25, swooped on Iqbal on Saturday while he was delivering his speech on the closing day of a two-day celebration programme, ‘Robofight,’ of the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) department at Mukta Mancha.The prime minister said, “We want to make the country free from militancy, terrorism and drug abuse.” She mentioned that those who commit such incidents like the one done to Iqbal are fanatics. “They think by killing a person they will go to heaven ... they’ll never be able to reach the heaven ... they’ll suffer in the hell.”The prime minister said the country’s children must be kept away from drugs, terrorism and militancy. “These three social menaces are just destroying children.”Turning to science and technology, the prime minister said these are ever changing and her government has attached utmost importance to education, research and scientific and technological studies.She said the government has already given importance to studies on bio-technological science, medical science, environmental science, engineering and applied science, physical science and food production.Hasina said a country cannot progress without its development in the area of science and technology. To promote the scientific studies and researches, the Awamin League government after taking office in 1996, allocated funds to conduct scientific research and studies, which had remained completely suspended during the post-1975 period.The prime minister said Bangladesh is now stepping into the atomic era, fulfilling its long-cherished dream. In this area, the country needs huge people with particular skills, she said.