Food minister warns against plot to turn Bangladesh into a militant state

Food Minister Qamrul Islam has said that certain quarters are hatching fresh conspiracies with a view to turning Bangladesh into a militant state. “The country’s economy is still strong despite the 2014 arson attacks [carried out by the BNP-led alliance] and a vested group is now plotting to destroy the achievements,” the minister said while addressing a programme at Mohammad Ali Yakub Ali School and College in Savar Tuesday. He said: “Even the school-going children are being radicalised, as they are given wrong explanation of Islam in a bid to make them militants.” Qamrul also urged teachers and students to stay alert about religious extremists. Prior to attending the function, the minister inaugurated a multimedia classroom at the school.