The government no longer considers statements allegedly made by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from abroad to be significant, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Friday, dismissing them as attempts to create instability in Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of the Cox’s Bazar Medical College and Hospital building, the minister said the government was not concerned about such statements.
“Which Hasina? Where did she make a statement? Has anyone even seen her? Every now and then, only a voice is heard,” he said.
“They are trying to create instability in Bangladesh, but the people of this country will never accept their politics,” he added.
Salahuddin Ahmed also alleged that those responsible for mass killings and crimes against humanity had shown no remorse and had not sought forgiveness from the people. For that reason, he said, the public would not allow them to return to political activities.
Referring to statements made from abroad, he said those involved “may occasionally emerge from abroad and make noise,” but added that the government no longer attaches importance to such efforts.
Army camps to tackle kidnappings
Responding to questions about recent kidnapping incidents in different parts of the country, the home minister said the government is considering establishing army camps in areas where they are needed.
He said the relevant General Officer Commanding (GOC) had been asked to assess the situation, after which the government would recommend setting up camps in vulnerable areas.
Salahuddin Ahmed expressed hope that the initiative would help effectively curb kidnappings and other serious crimes.
Govt to prepare list of top drug traffickers
Earlier on Thursday night, after a district-level meeting on narcotics control and law and order at the Cox’s Bazar Circuit House, Salahuddin Ahmed said combating drug trafficking remains one of the government’s top priorities.
He announced that a neutral and impartial list of the country’s leading drug traffickers would be prepared by a task force, with legal action to follow based on its findings.
The minister said narcotics are being smuggled through land, river and maritime routes, prompting the government to instruct the Bangladesh Navy and Coast Guard to strengthen patrols.
He also said fishermen and boats operating in Teknaf and Ukhiya would be registered to make it easier to identify smugglers.
In addition, the government is working to establish joint-force or local security camps along key cross-border trafficking routes.
A proposal has also been submitted to set up two army camps in the hilly areas of Teknaf to help prevent kidnappings.
Earlier, on Friday, Salahuddin Ahmed visited the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CDA), where he met officials before inaugurating the authority’s apartment development project in Kolatoli.
The event was attended by local lawmakers Shahjahan Chowdhury, Alamgir Muhammad Mahfuzullah Farid and Shamim Ara Swapna, along with the chairman of the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority and senior officials from the district administration and police.
