Speakers at a roundtable in the city on Sunday said that the main reason behind the current political violence and anarchy is to prevent the trial of war criminals in Bangladesh.

They also said that a dialogue to resolve the political crisis could happen only after halting violence and anarchy.

The speakers came up with the views at the roundtable, titled ‘Terrorism, Violence and National Security’, organised by the Sector Commanders Forum at National Museum in the capital.

Speaking at the roundtable, economist and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Farashuddin Ahmed said: ‘A group is committing all the violence and anarchy to stop the trial of war criminals.’

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman said some people are predicting an utmost critical situation in the country if a dialogue does not happen. ‘But, I think the country will witness an extreme scenario if militancy and terror are not uprooted.’

Ekatturer Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee executive president Shahriar Kabir said that whatever was happening in the country right now is to ‘put BNP-Jamaat in power to create a haven for militants.’

Noted economist and Dhaka School of Economics chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said delivering statements in seminars will not help to stop violence. All concerned people and organisations should come out on to the streets to prevent violence.

He further said: ‘Dialogue is not possible with militants, war criminals and terrorists.’

Sector Commanders Forum chairman Maj Gen (retd) KM Shafiullah presided over the roundtable.