The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Security experts yesterday suggested the government to introduce technology based modern vocational education system in country's Madrassa for effectively combating the militancy.

They opined that due to the lack of scientific knowledge, Madrassa students are often influenced to the fundamental militant ideals.

Referring to the growth of militancy in Bangladesh they said, students should be encouraged to fight militant ideals in various educational institutions ,through modernization ,intellectual practice, scientific education along with adequate religious knowledge.

They said this while speaking at a seminar on ' Militancy in Pakistan: Implications on South Asian Security' organised by International Studies Association of Bangladesh at RC Mujumder Hall of Dhaka University yesterday.

Presided over by former Ambassador Mohammad Jamir, Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of the International Relations Department of the University presented the keynote paper.

In his keynote paper he said, we must evaluate the democracy to learn lessons from the militancy in Pakistan.

Admitting of existence of militancy in the country, Prof Imtiaz claimed, militants involve themselves in the militancy not because of poverty, but because of their blind faiths.

Prof Imtiaz, renowned security expert, placed some recommendations to tackle the militancy in the South Asian region . The recommendations include enhancement of vigilance by the states, civil society and community leaders and increasing investment in the education sector.

''If the militants can take the control over the nuclear devices in Pakistan, it would not bring only complexity in the South Asian regional security paradigm, but also will cause the unimaginable danger for the peace and development of the region,'' he observed.

Former Ambassador Mohammad Jamir said, militancy originates from our feeling of anger, deprivation and other discrimination prevailing in the society.

Are we going through militancy process, he questioned.

Terming the Pakistani militancy a 'new- breed of militancy' Jamir said, they are highly educated and using sophisticated weapons including laptops for carrying out their operations.

Prof Dalem Chandra Barman of the Peace and Conflicts Department , security expert Masud Mannan and Abdur Rahaman, among others, took part at the discussion.