The terror strikes are panicking the people and scaring off local and foreign investors, the business magnates observed. They stressed the need for a national consensus and asked the government to take initiatives to hold dialogues with all political parties to reach such a consensus on how to rout out the militants.

At the two and a half hour meeting at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the country's apex business association, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), submitted a nine-point proposal on combating terrorism to the premier.

A number of business leaders also demanded army deployment, which the prime minister did not agree to, meeting sources said.

She told the business delegation that her government, too, is worried over the prevailing situation, but not afraid. "The bombings are but desperate acts by some derailed and misguided people, who are alienated from the masses, to destabilise the country's present peaceful situation... We will soon solve it," a source quoted her as telling the meet.

The prime minister alleged the bomb terrorism originated during the previous Awami League (AL) government. She said, "The incidents then were not investigated into properly. As a result, bomb attacks have been going on."

She came down heavily on the main opposition and its allies for calling hartals instead of helping the government contain militancy. In an oblique reference to the AL, she told the business leaders that those who enforce hartal frequently and tarnish the country's image abroad by anti-state propaganda are instigating the militants.

Sounding a note of caution against those involved in militancy, the PM said, "These are not political incidents ... the bombers are terrorists... they have no political identity... Nobody involved in the bombings will be spared, whoever he may be."

LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, who was also present on the occasion, said, "The government is going to enact a rigorous law with provisions for speedy trial of those who are killing people in the name of Islam."

"The law is under process and will be enacted soon," Khaleda Zia confirmed. She urged the AL to join parliament and present its opinions on the new law.

The prime minister listed her government's steps to curb militancy and said they have already taken initiatives to track down members and kingpins of the outlawed JMB.

Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury, Adviser to Commerce Ministry Barkatullah Bulu and Political Secretary to Prime Minister Harris Chowdhury were also present at the meeting.

Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kutubuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Tipu Munshi, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Sayeeful Islam, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries President AK Azad, Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association President Maqsudur Rahman and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, among others, were members of the business delegation.

BUSINESS BODIES' PROPOSALS
FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain told The Daily Star yesterday, "Among the short-term measures, we urged the prime minister to take tough actions against any lack in the administration, so that identified criminals like Khamaru, who was arrested but released, do not go free any more."

"We can't accept such administrative negligence," he said referring to the release of Khamaru, a JMB linchpin.

The 9-point proposal signed by Nasir Hossain remarks, "There is no alternative but to unite to face the tough time the country is going through." It also says, "Bangladesh's image is under question again at abroad due to the bomb terrorism."

The FBCCI president requested the PM to allow duty-free import of security equipment so that the businesses can make their own security arrangements.

The investigations into the financing of terrorism should be intensified and the process of enacting the new anti-terrorism law expedited, he said.

Referring to a newspaper report a number of business leaders said that a section of government high-ups are encouraging and patronisation the militants. In response, the prime minister questioned the credibility of the newspaper and the report, sources said.

The business bodies led by the FBCCI met the prime minister in a bid to persuade the government and the opposition parties to sit in a dialogue on fighting terrorism. They sent letters to the prime minister and the leader of the opposition seeking appointments on Thursday.

But, a source quoted the prime minister as telling yesterday's meeting, "A national dialogue has begun today and will continue."

Some business magnates expressed frustration after the meeting, as the PM virtually accused the main opposition parties of involving in terrorism.

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association Chairman MA Awal said, "We think militant activities is a national problem and will hit the economy first. So, we urged the prime minister to take steps to reach a national consensus on this issue."

It is not a problem of a particular political party or group, he said, adding, "The government earlier did not hesitate to form the Rapid Action Battalion or deploy the army in Operation Clean Heart. Despite some criticisms, the nation has benefited from those moves. So, why not now?"

Awal however explained that a few leaders felt that deploying the army may be one of the ways to address the issue, but it was not the view of all.