Arson culprits will be punished: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, legal action will be taken against those responsible for colossal damage to the people and killing innocent people alive in the name of protest.

She said this while distributing cheques among victims of these attcks and their relatives at her office Thursday.

Prime minister distributed 222 cheques of over Taka 8.37 crore among the relatives of 37 burn injured people and owners of 185 damaged transport during the 92-days siege and shutdown program enforced by the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

After distribution of the cheques the Prime Minister said, "We are trying to extend you help though we know that the damage you have suffered is not recoverable. But we are trying to stand beside you with all cooperation."

"We don`t want such damage to the people in future. It`s unthinkable one can cause such damage to the people and burning people alive aimed at gratifying own interests," she said.

Sheikh Hasina extended thanks to the countrymen for facing the destructive activities of BNP and Jamaat with courage along with the law enforcing agencies saying, "your courage has rescued the country from ruining."

Reiterated her commitment to remain beside the people of the country, Sheikh Hasina sought support of the people irrespective of party affiliation to tackle such incidents in future.

Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, state minister for LGRD and Cooperative Moshiur Rahman Ranga, PM`s Principal Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and PM`s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present, among others.

Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed Taka 33.77 crore in 994 cheques among the family members of the deceased, injured persons and owners of the damaged transports.