"What Hasina? Just Occasional Noise Here and There": Home Minister

He made these remarks while speaking to journalists on Friday (August 7) after laying the foundation stone of the new 500-bed building of Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital.

The Home Minister said the people of Bangladesh will no longer accept the politics of the Awami League. He said they are trying to create unrest in the country. "The people of the country now want development, stability, and security. Any attempt to disrupt normalcy by creating instability or chaos will not succeed," he added.

Earlier in the morning, Salahuddin Ahmed attended the inauguration ceremony of the "Flat Development Project-1" of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority (COXDA), where he spoke about Cox's Bazar's tourism potential, marine resources, blue economy, environmental conservation, and higher education and marine research plans.

At the inauguration event, the Home Minister said that if Bangladesh's marine resources and seaports are properly utilized, the country will be able to generate substantial revenue. The government is moving forward with various plans to harness the potential of the ocean-based economy. He said Bangladesh has immense potential in the "Blue Economy." The sea should not be viewed only as a means of communication or tourism; fisheries, marine research, ports, energy, and tourism sectors must be integrated with it.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that if Cox's Bazar's immense tourism potential is systematically utilized, the district can make an even greater contribution to the national economy. Cox's Bazar must be promoted not only to domestic visitors but also as an attractive tourist destination for global travelers.

He emphasized environmental conservation, saying that tourism development cannot be achieved just by constructing tall buildings. Tourism infrastructure must be developed while preserving the natural beauty and environment of Cox's Bazar. Initiatives for tourism expansion must be taken while maintaining ecological balance and natural beauty.

The Home Minister also spoke about environmental restrictions in utilizing Cox's Bazar's tourism potential. He said that during the previous fascist government, various areas were arbitrarily declared Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs). Instructions have been given to review the matter through surveys and reassess the real situation in these areas for tourism development. He said the necessity of environmental protection cannot be denied, but where and how tourism can be developed must be determined based on reality and scientific surveys.

The Home Minister also informed that the government has a plan to establish a Marine University in Cox's Bazar to expand higher education and marine research opportunities. Cox's Bazar is a highly important region in terms of sea and marine resources; establishing a Marine University there will create more opportunities for marine education, research, and skilled human resource development.

Later, the Home Minister laid the foundation stone for the new 500-bed building of Cox's Bazar Medical College Hospital. The event was attended by MP Shahjahan Chowdhury (Ukhia-Teknaf constituency), MP Alamgir Mohammad Mahfuz Ullah Farid (Maheshkhali-Kutubdia constituency), reserved women's seat MP Shamima Ara Swapna, and other officials. Authorities expect that the new building will further expand healthcare services in Cox's Bazar, benefiting local residents, tourists, and people from border areas with improved medical facilities.