Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government is following a “zero tolerance” policy against mob violence and lynching, with those involved being identified and brought to justice quickly.
He said punishing or physically assaulting anyone without following legal procedures was illegal and a gross violation of human rights.
The minister made the remarks during the question-answer session of the Jatiya Sangsad on Thursday afternoon, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair.
The question was raised by ruling party MP Selina Sultana Nishita, who wanted to know the government’s plans to prevent mob violence, stop people from taking the law into their own hands and ensure public safety.
In response, Salahuddin Ahmed said the government had taken specific measures to prevent mob violence and vigilantism. He said those involved in violence and lynching were being quickly identified and brought under the law, while searches and surveillance had been increased in areas considered vulnerable.
The minister said visible patrols by law enforcement agencies and intelligence monitoring had been strengthened to ensure public security.
He added that CCTV cameras were being installed at important locations and technology was being used to identify criminals.
Salahuddin Ahmed said regular communication was being maintained with religious leaders of mosques, temples, churches and other religious institutions to prevent the spread of extremism.
He said authorities were also monitoring social media platforms to prevent rumours from triggering mob violence or other unwanted incidents. He added that effective measures were being taken through community policing by involving local influential people to prevent mob violence.
Replying to a supplementary question from opposition MP Md Abul Hasnat, Salahuddin Ahmed said the law and order situation had shown visible improvement as law enforcement agencies were quickly arresting criminals and bringing them under the legal process.
He said swift action had also been taken in cases that drew widespread public attention.
“From the Ramisa case to the recent four murders in Rangpur, police and other law enforcement agencies have been able to arrest the accused and bring them under the law within the shortest possible time,” he said.
The home minister also outlined government plans to increase police manpower and vehicles.
Replying to a question from MP Md Nurul Amin, he said the government planned to create 4,000 new posts for sub-inspectors, 400 posts for sergeants and 10,000 posts for constables.
He said necessary vehicles and watercraft would be purchased gradually through the revenue budget over the next five financial years.
Considering newly created units, manpower and expanded responsibilities, the number of vehicles would be increased and field-level units would receive necessary transport facilities, he added.
On recovering firearms looted from different locations, Salahuddin said a committee had been formed involving all relevant agencies. He said regular drives were being conducted to recover the stolen weapons and their serial numbers were being matched to identify them.
The minister expressed hope that all weapons looted from prisons and other locations would eventually be recovered. Salahuddin also said an investigation into allegations of politically motivated recruitment in the police force during the previous government was nearing completion.
He said irregularities had been found in recruitment of police constables and other positions in several districts.
Complaints of recruitment irregularities had been received from districts including Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Kishoreganj, he said.
The minister said the findings of the investigation would be made public after its completion.
