BNP engaged in activities of terrorist organisations: Hasan Mahmud

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Friday said no one in the world burns public transport in the name of strike or blockade.

"It is not the work of a political party. Those are activities of terrorist organizations," the minister said, replying to reporters after a meeting with the leaders of Online News portal Association Bangladesh (ONAB) at his official residence in city‍‍`s Mintu Road.

"BNP activists attack the people and burn public transports in the name of movement and the party leaders are announcing blockade programmes from caves. The government is firmly determined to take legal steps against all terrorists and miscreants," he added.

Urging all to build united resistance against the terrorists, the minister said the miscreants are the enemies of the country and its people. They are more dangerous than the ferocious hyenas, the minister said.

He said BNP‍‍`s blockade programme has already failed and the traffic movement was normal on Thursday. The countrymen have boycotted the blockade, he said.

Regarding movement of garment workers, he said the salary of the workers has been increased 56 percent and the starting salary is now Taka 12,500. But a vested group is trying to create instability through outsiders in this sector, he added.

The minister said some leaders are demanding Taka 25,000 for the workers. In fact, it is not acceptable as per the reality, he added.

He urged the mainstream media including online portals to become vocal against the rumours and misinformations, saying the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina believes in the freedom of expression and freedom of mass media. For this, a vast revolution has taken place in the mass media sector, he said.

He said some online mass media are spreading rumours from home and abroad. So, the mainstream online news portals which got registration have the responsibility to become vocal against the rumours and propaganda, said the minister.

Among others, ONAB president Mollah M Amzad Hossain, general secretary Shaheen Chowdhury, vice president Sowmithra Deb, joint general secretaries Md Siddiqur Rahman and Ashraful Kabir, members Professor Apu Ukil, Nazrul Islam Mithu and Ayaon Ahmed were also present at the meeting.