Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has directed law-enforcement agencies to swiftly arrest identified terrorists, extortionists and drug dealers across the country, warning of tough action against officials who fail to act.
He said a “zero tolerance” policy would be followed and those responsible for failing to bring criminals to justice would face action.
The minister made the remarks while briefing reporters after visiting Prof Md Asadur Rahman at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Saturday. The physician was injured in an attack outside Popular Hospital in Shantinagar on 17 August.
“Those identified as extortionists, terrorists and drug dealers, particularly in Dhaka and other metropolitan areas, must be brought under the law as soon as possible,” Salahuddin Ahmed said.
“If law-enforcement agencies fail to take them into custody and bring them under the law, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” he said.
The minister said a gang of extortionists attacked Asadur Rahman after he left his chamber in Shantinagar, seriously injuring him.
Four of the gang’s seven members, including its alleged mastermind, were arrested within 48 hours, he said.
One was arrested at the scene, while the others were picked up from Lakshmipur, Donia in Jatrabari and Satarakul.
The minister praised police and the Detective Branch for swiftly identifying and arresting the suspects.
According to preliminary interrogation, the alleged mastermind had been living abroad and returned to Bangladesh after suffering losses in the hundi business. He later formed a criminal gang, the minister said.
The gang allegedly targeted major hospitals, prominent doctors, engineers and wealthy professionals. It would first intimidate victims through threats and messages and later attack them physically to demand large sums of money, he said.
“Such activities by extortionists will not be tolerated. The drive will continue until extortion is completely eliminated,” the minister said.
Police members involved in extortion also being listed
The minister said authorities were also investigating whether members of law-enforcement agencies were involved in or assisting extortionists.
“We are not only preparing lists of extortionists and criminals. If any police member is involved in or assists extortion, they are also being included in the list,” he said.
No criminal or their patron would be spared regardless of their influence, he added.
5,000 Ansar members for hospital security
The minister said 10 Ansar members would be deployed at each of 500 hospitals across the country to strengthen security for healthcare facilities and doctors.
He advised doctors who feel particularly vulnerable at their private chambers or clinics to inform police.
Asked about firearms for doctors’ personal security, Ahmed said any citizen could apply for a shotgun or pistol licence subject to existing legal requirements.
If a doctor believes a licensed firearm is necessary for personal protection, the application would be considered under the government’s existing rules, he said.
Social Welfare Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam, and Dhaka Medical College Hospital Director Brig Gen Md Asaduzzaman, among others, were present.
Ahmed later visited Anwar Khan Modern Hospital in Dhanmondi to see Dr AKM Aminul Haque, who was also allegedly threatened by the same extortion gang.
