Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has assured Parliament that the government will not show any leniency towards criminals, following grave concerns raised by lawmakers regarding their personal safety and the proliferation of “mob violence” across the nation.
During a parliamentary session on Monday, presided over by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Abdul Hannan Masud and independent MP Barrister Rumeen Farhana highlighted the deteriorating security situation.
Salahuddin stated that the issues raised are being treated with the utmost importance and promised that the government remains committed to establishing the rule of law.
Lawmaker cites attacks, death threats
Raising a notice of breach of privilege, MP Abdul Hannan Masud, who represents a remote island constituency, alleged that he has been the victim of at least five direct attacks by land and sea pirates.
He reported that an Imam was brutally assaulted for offering prayers for him and has been undergoing treatment for the past one and a half months.
Masud claimed that despite possessing video evidence of attackers wielding weapons and receiving constant death threats via Facebook Live, the terrorists continue to enjoy political protection.
He pointed out that his vehicle still bears the marks of a hatchet attack and noted that identified suspects who attacked a BTV journalist remain at large. “If an MP and his activists are not safe, what is the state of the common people?” he questioned.
Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal noted that the notice regarding the 25 February post-election violence and the subsequent threats following Masud’s 29 March parliamentary speech deserves serious attention.
He urged the home minister to take swift and effective legal action.
Rising ‘mob culture’ and impunity
In a separate notice of urgent public importance, Barrister Rumeen Farhana (Brahmanbaria-2) expressed deep alarm over the rise of “mob terrorism,” stating that the country has effectively become a “city of mobs” over the last 18 months.
She cited instances of mob activity involving the Governor of Bangladesh Bank, the Supreme Court Bar Association, and incidents at the Barisal court and The Daily Star office.
Farhana further highlighted the lynching of a suspected snatcher in Chittagong and a Pir in Kushtia as evidence of social decay. She argued that a persistent “culture of impunity” and a lack of exemplary punishment are driving this anarchy.
“When people do not receive justice, they turn towards such lawlessness,” she stated, demanding that the Ministry of Home Affairs take immediate, stern measures.
In response, Salahuddin described the allegations as “very sad” if proven true. He urged lawmakers to file formal complaints or General Diaries (GD) at local police stations to facilitate swift police action.
He reiterated that the government would ensure maximum security for all members of the House.
