Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said that Jamaat-Shibir and BNP used the students protesting against the disproportionate quotas in government jobs as their shield to unleash a reign of terror.

"They (Jamaat-Shibir and BNP) just used the students as their shield," she said when Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro called on her at her official residence Ganabhaban in the capital.

PM's Deputy Press Secretary Noorelahi Mina briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said that the prime minister mentioned that Jamaat-Shibir and BNP are used to killing people through arson attacks.

Sheikh Hasina said that she has visited different hospitals to see the injured persons who are getting treatment.

"We're providing medicare facilities to all equally," she added. She mentioned that everything, including the economic activities, in the country is gradually moving towards normalcy.

The Italian ambassador said that the anarchists targeted the symbol of modernisation of Bangladesh during attacks. He expressed his condolence over the loss of lives and properties.

"Antonio Alessandro hoped that the prime minister will ensure justice and accountability against the culprits behind this vandalism," Mina said.

The envoy appreciated Bangladesh for its move and success in containing terrorism after the attack on Holey Artisan.

"Bangladesh will be able to advance the move to contain the terrorism through ensuring justice," Mina Quoted the Italian ambassador as saying.

Antonio Alessandro appreciated the Prime Minister's move to handle the recent attacks and vandalism.

He said that Bangladesh and Italy historically enjoy excellent friendly relations.

In this connection, he mentioned that some two lakh plus Bangladeshi expatriates are the bridge of this relationship and they are contributing to the economies of both countries.

The envoy said that he will work for advancing further the excellent relations between the two countries.

In this regard, he mentioned that energy, SME, space technology and ship building sectors will be in the center of the areas of work. He also expressed his firm resolve to move forward the legal migration.

The Italian envoy expressed his country's keen interest to train Bangladesh police in "School of Public Order" to handle various types of unwanted situation like protests and crack down as his country's police personnel have vast experience since the post second world war.

The Prime Minister termed the proposal as good one and said that further talks will be continued in this regard in the coming days.

PM's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.