Rangpur: The government needs to take an initiative for forging a national unity to eliminate militancy and terrorism from the country with united efforts, says Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad on Sunday.

Talking to reporters at his Palli Nibas residence in Rangpur, he blamed ‘intelligence’s’ failure’ for the terrorist attack at Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery, reports UNB.

‘All parties need to sit together. It’ll send out a message to the global community that the country’s political parties are united over the militancy issue,’ he said.

Extremism and terrorism will have to be tackled through united efforts, said the Jatiya Party chief adding, ‘It’s the government’s responsibility to take steps for a national unity.’

Observing that the government has failed to suppress extremism, he said young people are getting involved in militancy for lack of job opportunities.

About the Gulshan attack, he said, ‘Some youths have killed so many innocent people with arms in a posh area like Gulshan, but our inelegance agencies had no information about that. It can’t be accepted. It’s intelligence’s failure.’

Ershad urged the prime minister to look into the matter and remove those intelligence members who neglected their duties.

He said the government must work out effective ways to fight against militants and win it.

The former military ruler feared that the Gulshan attack may affect the country’s economy as the foreigners lost their confidence in the country’s security measures.

He urged the government to take proper steps for ensuring foreigners security.

The Jatiya Party chairman also called upon guardians to remain aware of their children’s’ activities and properly guide them.