DHAKA, Dec 21, 2023 (BSS) - Coming down heavily on BNP leaders, Information and Broadcasting Minister and Awami League (AL) Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud today said the lying of BNP leaders over the incidents of arson attacks on trains is worse and more barbaric than killings.

"The government always wants to keep peace and stability in the country and want to resist all types of terror activities. On the other hand, BNP is carrying out arson attacks like in the period from 2013 to 2015 foil the next election. And it is clear like the day light," he told reporters, replying to a query at the auditorium of Press Information Department (PID) at secretariat here.

Earlier, the minister joined a discussion on Bangladesh's achievements in COP-28 organised by Bangladesh Climate Change Journalist Forum.

Dr Hasan said the lying of BNP leaders including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi over arson attacks on trains and other public transports are worse than terrorist activities. The persons who are giving order to carry out such incidents (arson attacks) are also similar criminals, he said, adding the countrymen are demanding to take steps against them.

He said it is now the demand of time to take tough actions against the persons who are behind the scene apart from the arsonists and miscreants.

Replying to another query over BNP's announcement of non-cooperation movement, the information minister said a festive mood has already been created centering the polls and there are, on an average, seven candidates contesting in every constituency. And huge voters will exercise their franchise on January 7, he hoped.

On the other hand, he said BNP root level leaders and activists are not cooperating with their leaders.

About a comment of the chief election commissioner, Hasan Mahmud said the government is providing all out cooperation to the Election Commission (EC) and now all administrations of the government are under the jurisdiction of the EC. The EC has already transferred most of the upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), officers-in-charge (OCs) and even some deputy commissioners (DCs), he added.

He said the EC is the organizer of the election and it is their responsibility to hold a free and fair election. And the government is providing all out cooperation to the EC, he continued.

In the discussion, Dr Hasan said the Prime Minister was invited to the COP-28 conference, but she couldn't attend the programme. "I attended the conference on behalf of her. Bangladesh has attracted everyone's attention and the steps we have taken to combat climate change under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been praised there."

For this, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Global Center for Climate Mobility (GCCM) jointly awarded the Prime Minister with the 'Climate Mobility Champion Leader Award', said the minister.

He said Bangladesh is one of the worst affected countries and an innocent victim of the climate change. "Though Bangladesh has no liability for the climate change the country is the innocent victim of the changes," he added.

Besides, Hasan Mahmud said one of the major developments of the COP-28 conference is the formation of the 'Loss and Damage Fund', which did not exist earlier. And everyone at this conference unanimously agreed on a gradual transition away from fossil fuels, he said.

Replying to another query, the minister said most of the urban planning in the country has not made human connection with nature. So, the cities have become a waste of bricks and stones, he said.

Principal Information Officer Md Shahenur Mia, forum president Kawsar Rahman and general secretary Motahar Hossain, among others, addressed the discussion.