National

Autocratic govts destroy democracy, economy: PM

Recalling the misrule of autocratic governments, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said they destroyed country’s democracy and economy after the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975.The Prime Minister said this while distributing laptops and multimedia systems among the educational institutions of Tungipara Upazila on Friday.‘Democracy has been reestablished in Bangladesh after a long struggle and continuation of democracy helped country’s economic advancement,’ she said.The Prime Minister said people of Bangladesh were never deprived of whenever the Awami League was in power. ‘People of the country are getting the result of the good governance of the Awami League government,’ she said.Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is a country of huge potentiality. ‘We have to exploit the potentials,’ she said.Paying her glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation, the Prime Minister said Bangabandhu was assassinated as he had undertaken measures for rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.‘The present government is making relentless efforts to accomplish the unfinished tasks of Bangabandhu,’ she said.Heads of five educational institutions received laptops and multimedia systems from the Prime Minister while others institutions would be given through upazilla administration.Newly elected mayor of Tungipara Gazi Golam Mostafa also spoke on the occasion arranged at Library Bhaban of the mausoleum.Earlier the Prime Minister placed floral wreaths at the mausoleum of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.The Prime Minister who arrived here along with her sister Sheikh Rehana this morning, inaugurated newly constructed Sheikh Russell Shishu Park. Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana offered prayers at the mazar seeking eternal peace of departed souls of Bangabandhu, Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 massacre. Prayers were also offered seeking country`s continued peace, progress and prosperity.Later, the Prime Minister from her residence joined a doa and milad mahfil arranged at the mosque of the mausoleum.Local Awami League leaders, newly elected mayors and councilors and family members joined the programme with the Prime Minister.