DHAKA, June 15, 2024 (BSS) - Awami League (AL) General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said that efforts are being made to resolve the issue of Myanmar's firing reaching Saint Martin's Island through discussions with that country.

“It will be regretful if we suffer because of the internal violence and crisis of Myanmar. Efforts are going on and Bangladesh will continue to seek resolution through discussions, avoiding war. However, if anyone (Bangladeshi) becomes victim, a response will be given,” he said.

He said these at a press briefing at the Awami League president's office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi.

Quader said, “We are ready. We won’t attack. But we will not spare if they attack. Resistance will be built if we are attacked. We have no antagonism with Myanmar. The door of discussion is open.”

He said, “Our neighboring country Myanmar has some internal crises. They have 54 ethnic groups. There are conflicting among themselves. It will be very unfortunate if we suffer from their internal crisis. There is a military government there. We are trying to solve it through discussions and will continue to do so avoiding war. However, if we are attacked, we will respond to that attack. There is no reason to underestimate us. We are ready.”

Referring to the Rohingya crisis that has burdened Bangladesh, the AL leader said, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina generously opened the borders for humanitarian reasons. For this, she is called the ‘Mother of Humanity’. Now, countries and organizations around the world praise us. We need not lip service of big countries in this regard.”

“The amount of assistance for Rohingyas has decreased significantly. We are worried about the ongoing economic crisis. The additional burden of 10-12 lakh Rohingyas is creating pressure,” he added.

About traffic congestion on roads during Eid journey, the minister said, although there is traffic congestion in some places, there was no need to wait for hours anywhere.

Over BNP's claim that the government will fall any moment, the AL general secretary said, “This is their daydream. Government changes either through a popular uprising or an election. The election was held on January 7, 2024. The idea that the government will fall in a popular uprising is laughable.”

Awami League Joint General Secretary A F M Bahauddin Nasim, Organizational Secretary B M Mozammel Haque, Sujit Roy Nandi, cultural affairs secretary Ashim Kumar Ukil and deputy publicity secretary Syed Abdul Awal Shamim, among others, were present.