Home minister issues stern warning
Law enforcement agencies will take any necessary measures for self-defense: Home minister
Police have tightened security in the capital following a series of cocktail bomb explosions and bus arson attacks. Searches are underway on major roads and at key intersections. Photo: Shamim-us-Saleheen
Although the government remains committed to respecting human rights, law enforcement agencies will take any necessary measures for self-defense. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said they had been given such instructions.
He made the remarks in a statement under Rule 300 in Parliament on Wednesday amid concerns raised by opposition parties over the country’s law and order situation.
Leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP) have expressed concern over the recent law and order situation. They have also demanded the home minister’s resignation over what they described as his “failure.”
Opposition leaders criticized the government in Parliament over the growing activities of the Awami League following the announcement by Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power in the July uprising, that she would return to the country in December. They also expressed concern over a series of crude bomb explosions and acts of sabotage.
Responding to the criticism in Parliament, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the BNP government was committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
Assuring lawmakers that the police would not be turned into a partisan force as in the past, he said, “We never wanted to turn law enforcement agencies into a brutal force, and we never will.”
At the same time, announcing a tough stance against any conspiracy, the home minister said, “However, if necessary, I repeat, the government will not hesitate to take strict legal measures according to the situation.”
Referring to the activities of the now-banned Awami League, he said that although law enforcement agencies had been attacked by protesters in some places, they had not engaged in any activities that would violate human rights.
Observing that protesters were taking advantage of this situation, the home minister said, “They are taking advantage of our respect for human rights.
“We will not retreat from our commitment to protecting human rights. However, while remaining within the boundaries of human rights, we will thwart all conspiracies by those creating instability and engaging in sabotage.”
Delivering a stern message to the people, Salahuddin said, “Law enforcement agencies will take any necessary measures during operations and drives in accordance with their rights of private defense. I repeat, they will take any lawful measures necessary in accordance with their rights of private defense.”
“We have given them such instructions, and they will act accordingly,” he added.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed during Wednesday’s parliamentary session.
Blaming the Awami League for the ongoing acts of sabotage, Salahuddin said, “Arson terrorism is an old political malpractice of the Awami League.”
In this connection, he referred to the burning of a double-decker bus in Dhaka’s Shahbagh area during a hartal called by the Awami League in 2004, in which 11 people were burned to death.
Saying that the fascist Awami League, which was ousted in the mass uprising, would never be able to return to power, Salahuddin also criticized Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman’s position on the party.
He said that on September 3, 2024, following the fall of fascism, the opposition leader had said at an event that he had politically forgiven those who had oppressed them.
“He had unilaterally granted forgiveness, which the people believe was not reasonable. We also believe it was unacceptable,” Salahuddin said.
The home minister told Parliament that, as part of the commitment to bring all extrajudicial killings during the previous Awami League government to justice, investigation teams of the International Crimes Tribunal would now begin investigations across different districts.
