Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the country’s law and order situation is undergoing gradual improvement.
Speaking at Secretariat on Thursday following a discussion with Saad followers regarding the upcoming Biswa Ijtema, Salahuddin said the crime situation is significantly more under control than before.
He noted that this assessment is based on integrated and centrally updated data collected from the Police Headquarters and district levels.
According to the home minister, major crimes including murder, abduction, rape, arms cases, and violence against women have decreased significantly compared to 2025.
He added that the law-and-order situation has improved across all indices and barometers.
“Although some more time is required to ensure 100 per cent development in line with public expectations, the government is satisfied with the current overall situation,” Salahuddin said.
To maintain the transparency of this district-level data, he urged the verification of Police Headquarters records to address any errors or confusion, while noting that efforts to make the police force fully active are currently ongoing.
Strict action against mugging
Responding to questions from journalists regarding a recent rise in mugging incidents, Salahuddin highlighted strict measures and rapid response efforts.
He cited swift action following the tragic death of a schoolteacher who recently fell victim to muggers.
“Within only 12 hours of the incident, the main accused was arrested, and the motorcycle used in the mugging was recovered,” the home minister said.
He added that the Detective Branch (DB) subsequently conducted drives, arresting several other accused and seizing the looted items.
Salahuddin expressed optimism that such stringent and immediate operations by law enforcement agencies are reducing the tendency of mugging across the country, with further decreases expected in the future.
Internal intelligence surveillance
Salahuddin also revealed that special monitoring is underway within the police force to identify officers who are failing to cooperate in improving the law-and-order situation or secretly obstructing government activities.
He clarified that active “internal intelligence” or surveillance mechanisms exist within every force.
Uncooperative officials are currently being identified, and the home minister assured that action would be taken upon verification if public provided specific information regarding such activities.
Consensus urged for Biswa Ijtema
On the upcoming Biswa Ijtema, Salahuddin said the government is giving the highest priority to ensuring the congregation is held beautifully and peacefully, preventing any recurrence of past clashes or casualties.
He noted that the two factions leading the Ijtema currently hold differing views and have submitted separate proposals to the government.
The Zubayer followers have demanded to organise both the first and second phases of Ijtema, proposing that the Saad followers hold their event at a venue outside the main site in Tongi.
Conversely, the Saad followers have demanded to organise one phase during the interim period between the conclusion of Zubayer faction’s two phases and the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
Alternatively, they wish to hold their phase in late November, prior to the start of the Zubayer faction’s event. The Saad followers have declined to hold their congregation at any other location.
The government has called upon both factions to peacefully reach a consensus, adding that a final decision will be announced after discussions with relevant officials.
Regarding the arrival of Maulana Saad in Bangladesh, the home minister noted that there have been obstacles in the past.
He said his arrival this time will be entirely overseen by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in accordance with rules and regulations.
The decision will be made by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to receiving the necessary routine clearances or permissions, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is refraining from making any final comments on the matter at this stage.
