Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the Parliament on Wednesday said that there was no necessity to declare the state of emergency.

“The situation has not reached to that level that the state of emergency has to be promulgated to tackle the violence,” she told the Parliament during the Prime Minister’s weekly question-answer session.   

“Why emergency is required?” she asked while replying to a supplementary question from opposition chief whip Tajul Islam Chowdhury.   

Hasina also said the law enforcing agencies are at standby and steps have already been taken to tackle violence. "People are with me," the PM claimed.

Hasina hoped that she would be able to face the violent situation with the assistance of people.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came following countrywide violence which killed at least 50 people and scores injured after BNP-led 20-party alliance enforced nonstop blockade on January 6. BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia announced the blockade just after she was prevented to join a planned rally in Dhaka on January 5 on the first anniversary of an election BNP boycotted in 2014.   

The parliament session resumes at 4.30 pm with Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Mia in the chair.

RI