Hasina terms attack on Zafar Iqbal as act of fanaticism

Dhaka – Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has termed the attack on noted writer Zafar Iqbal as an act of fanaticism.

“Those who are committing such crimes are fanatics, we have decided not to allow terrorism in Bangladesh,” the Prime Minister said on Sunday while distributing Bangabandhu Fellowship on Science and Technology in Dhaka.

Iqbal, a professor of Shahjalal Science and Technology University of Sylhet and a popular science fiction writer, was attacked by an assailant on the university campus in the northern city of Sylhet on Saturday.

The Prime Minister, who condemned the attack instantly and arranged improved treatment for the injured physicist, also during the programme urged all concerned to keep their children away from militancy, terrorism and drug abuse.

“We will not allow any kind of militancy and terrorism in Bangladesh and we are making concerted efforts to make people aware on the issues,” she added.

“These menaces are destroying our talented children. We have to work so that they don’t go to the disastrous path,” she said.

Hasina distributed the National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship and research donations among students and researchers for 2017-2018 sessions at a function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

The government wants a peaceful atmosphere in all educational institutions of the country, she said referring to the unwanted incident at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology campus.

The Prime Minister asked the Air Force to bring Iqbal to Dhaka for better treatment.

“His condition is stable,” she said.