Dhaka: Noting that the recent bomb attack on a Moharram procession was aimed at tarnishing Bangladesh’s image, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asserted that the country’s march forward cannot be stopped with such bombings.

The Prime Minister made the statement while addressing the foundation stone-laying ceremony of Dhaka Wasa Padma (Jashaldia) water treatment plant construction (phase-1) project at a city hotel.

‘Bangladesh is moving ahead and it’ll do so. Let me say one thing, the march forward of Bangladesh can’t be stopped by hurling two bombs or five eggs...those who’re thinking this are making a mistake,’ she said.

At least one person was killed and about hundred others were injured in bomb explosions in front of Huseni Dalan in old Dhaka on the early hours of 24 October. The blasts took place when members of the Shia community were gathering there to bring out their traditional Tajia procession, marking holy Ashura.

Sheikh Hasina said the motive behind this bomb attack was to taint Bangladesh’s image at a time when the country has become a role model of development in the world.

About the prevailing religious harmony in Bangladesh, she said the people of the country believe in the slogan ‘religion is personal, festival for everyone’.

‘You saw the one who was killed and those got injured in this bomb blasts are Sunni, no one of them is of the Shia community,’ Hasina said.

The Prime Minister said all programmes and festivals in Bangladesh are observed by the people of all religions.