Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the government will not allow Jungle Salimpur to become a sanctuary for terrorists.
He was briefing journalists around 11am on Sunday after inspecting Alinagar in the Jungle Salimpur area at Sitakunda, Chattogram.
“Through 17 years of the politics of criminalisation, a rogue state within the state had developed here. Jungle Salimpur is an example of that,” he said.
He added, “Immediately after taking charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the government gave importance to criminal activities in Chattogram. Incidents of extortion where armed groups with sophisticated weapons stormed businessmen’s residences, opened fire, and issued threats were taken very seriously. So, it was decided that their sanctuary must first be destroyed.”
The minister also said a joint operation was conducted on 9 March in Jungle Salimpur involving police, RAB, BGB, and the army.
Weapons were recovered and several criminals detained, but the desired success was not fully achieved, he said. “In one way or another, information about the operation was leaked, so they had already remained alert.”
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed is briefing the journalist after inspecting the Jungle Salimpur area in Sitakunda, Chattogram on Sunday, 31 May 2026. Photo: Zakir Hossain /TIMES
He added, “Across the area, criminals had installed CCTV cameras and guards to establish their own control system. We have identified where they got the audacity to declare an alliance against the state, who supported them, and who were involved in land grabbing.”
Referring to recent incidents of attacks on the joint forces camp in Alinagar, road cutting, and bulldozer vandalism of structures, he said, “Planned operations will continue against those involved in these incidents.”
There are plans to build a new road network connecting Sitakunda, Hathazari Bypass, and the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway. At the same time, discussions have been held about constructing necessary facilities for police, BGB, RAB, and the army, he informed.
He assured that ordinary residents of the area would not be evicted. “Those who were compelled to settle here for various reasons will be rehabilitated. No one will be evicted for now. We are a people’s government, and our plans will be made to give comfort to the people,” he said.
He said land has been identified in Jungle Salimpur’s khas (state‑owned) area for the long‑pending Chattogram Central Jail relocation project, and the district administration will take necessary measures.
Warning that terrorists also move around in nearby Betua and tea garden areas, the minister said, “Those areas too will be freed from terrorists, but that will be through planned, comprehensive, and joint operations.”
He emphasised the government’s tough stance nationwide against drugs, terrorism, gambling, and extortion: “Old laws cannot control modern online and offline gambling. That is why initiatives have been taken to create a new legal framework.”
He added that special tribunals will be set up under the Narcotics Control Act. Thousands of drug cases have been pending for years. Arrangements will be made for speedy disposal, he further said.
Expressing concern about teen gangs, the home minister said, “Many are turning into criminals by misusing the legal privileges of juvenile offenders. Therefore, legal reforms are needed to curb juvenile crime.”
