Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged all to remain alert so that no one gets involved in militancy.

"We'll have to remain vigilant so that anyone cannot get involved in this social menace. We all will have to be careful," she said.

The PM was speaking at a cheque handover ceremony at the Gono Bhaban.

Thirty-one private banks and six organisations handed over cheques of financial assistance for the PM's Relief and Welfare Fund at the programme.

Hasina renewed her government's resolve to stamp out militancy and said militants were causing the most severe damage to Islam and putting its image into question through killing innocent people.

Reiterating that there will be no place of militancy and terrorism in the country, she sought cooperation of all, including bankers, in eliminating the evils.

The PM said the government will be able to face the human-created problems as it tackles the natural calamities.

She said her government has already been able to create a mass awareness against militancy and terrorism. "Even grassroots people are now aware of it," she said.

About the recent flooding, the PM said her party has formed eight teams to help the flood-affected people across the country. “They're now distributing relief materials like food, medicines, cloths and other necessary items among the flood victims.”

She claimed that Bangladesh's success in facing natural disasters is now an example for the rest of the world.

Hasina said the government wants to bring more dynamism in the private sector to make the economy more vibrant through boosting investment.

She also expressed gratitude to private organisations for providing the donations.

Some 31 commercial banks, Walton Group, Bashundhara Group, Ship Breakers Association, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh and Gurdwara Management Committee donated cheques of financial assistance.

Prime Minister's Adviser HT Imam, businessmen Salman F Rahman and former FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed were present.