Dhaka: The government has a plan to constitute tribunal under the Section 27 of the Anti-terrorism Act 2009 to try BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia for her directives in fire bombing.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said this in the House while responding a question from female member Selina Begum.

Sheikh Hasina said the Anti-terrorism Act 2009 has the provision of formation of special tribunals for cases related to anti-terrorism drive. In future, the government may constitute such tribunals under the Section 27, she said.

The session judges were given the power for quick disposal of the cases until formation of the special tribunals, she said adding that case has been filed in connection with each and every incident of bomb attack.

The government has given instructions to all concerned officials for proper investigation of the cases and taking necessary steps to ensure quick disposal of the cases, she said adding the government is closely monitoring whether the instructions are properly followed.

The Prime Minister said a total of 134 people were burnt to death in petrol bomb attacks while 1,395 transports were put on fire. The arsonists also conducted sabotage 13 times to cause damage to Bangladesh Railway and six times in launches, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has so far distributed Taka 20.37 crore among 220 relatives of the deceased and injured persons. Cheques for Taka 1.36 crore are ready to distribute among more injured and relatives of 13 deceased persons, she said.

She said the owners of 860 damaged transports were given Taka 9.57 crore while cheques for Taka 7.21 crore are ready to distribute among the owners of more 285 damaged transports.