Dhaka: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today announced that the government has implemented a “zero tolerance” policy towards terrorism, drugs, extortion, and all forms of criminal activities to safeguard public safety and uphold law and order throughout the country as Eid-ul-Azha approaches. “The government will continue its zero tolerance stance against terrorism, drugs and extortion. After years of disorder and criminalization, we are determined to restore discipline and the rule of law in the country,” Ahmed stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister addressed journalists following a visit to the National Operation Monitoring Center at the Bangladesh Police Headquarters in Dhaka, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies are fully prepared and vigilant to ensure peace and stability nationwide. During his visit, Ahmed assessed the monitoring activities and issued directives to police officials on duty.
He highlighted that the Central Monitoring Cell, which operates throughout the year, has been bolstered significantly from seven days before Eid until seven days post-Eid to ensure continuous surveillance and rapid response. The minister noted that major highways, cattle markets, the Jamuna Bridge, the Padma Bridge, and all expressways are under round-the-clock monitoring to maintain security.
In regions lacking CCTV coverage, Ahmed mentioned that police personnel are being outfitted with body-worn cameras to enhance surveillance and accountability. Reflecting on recent road accidents, he pointed out a reduction in incidents compared to previous years, attributing the few that occurred to carelessness and risky travel practices, such as the accident involving roof passengers on a rod-laden truck in Naogaon. He urged citizens to exercise caution and responsibility during Eid travels.
The minister addressed the issue of unauthorized cattle markets, asserting the government’s strict stance against their operation. An illegal cattle market beneath the metro rail line in Mirpur was promptly shut down. Additionally, counterfeit currency detection machines have been installed at cattle markets in collaboration with Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks, and the police to combat the circulation of fake notes.
Regarding recent attacks on police and RAB personnel in Narayanganj and Jangal Salimpur in Chattogram, Ahmed warned that the government would take decisive action against terrorists and criminal groups. He disclosed that a coordinated operation had already dismantled attempts to establish a “state within a state” in Jangal Salimpur, resulting in the arrest of notorious criminals and the seizure of a significant cache of weapons.
Ahmed revealed plans to create an integrated “security and administrative hub” in Jangal Salimpur, featuring a police academy, RAB academy, police sports complex, and prison facilities. Addressing the traffic congestion at the Jamuna Bridge toll plaza, he attributed it to the manual toll collection system and expressed the government’s intent to recommend digital automation, including card-based automatic toll payments, to ease traffic flow.
Concerning allegations of drug trafficking operations using CCTV cameras and drones in Savar and attacks on journalists, Ahmed confirmed that three police members have been closed over the incident. He assured that strict legal action would be taken against those involved within the next 24 hours, based on specific information from media personnel.
Senior officials, including Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury and Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, were present at the briefing.