Describing rapists as 'beasts', Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said the government has to induct the death sentence in the relevant law to save girls from these beasts.

"The rapists are [like] beasts as they exhibit their inhumane nature affecting our girls … we’ve amended the law and included capital punishment for rape…we’ve cleared the amendment [proposal] in the cabinet," she said. 

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a programme marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2020.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief arranged the event at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium. The Prime Minister attended it from her official residence Ganobhaban.

As Parliament is not in session now, Sheikh Hasina said, the government is promulgating an ordinance to make the amendment effective.  "It’s our aim to face any problem when it arises and resolve that," she said.

The Prime Minister’s strong remarks came as protests against the growing incidents of rape, sexual harassment and violence against women are continuing in different parts of the country.