Sylhet: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has declared that criminals will receive no protection or leniency based on political affiliation, reinforcing the government’s ‘zero tolerance’ stance on crime and disorder. ‘A criminal is a criminal. There is no scope to spare anyone based on political identity or party affiliation,’ the minister emphasized during a meeting focused on Sylhet’s law and order and development issues at the Sylhet Circuit House.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Ahmed instructed authorities to compile ‘completely impartial’ lists of terrorists, extortionists, drug traffickers, and smugglers in the region, ensuring that innocent individuals are not targeted for political reasons and genuine criminals are not shielded by political ties. He urged authorities to show tangible progress within a month and directed both the Sylhet Range Police and Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) to strictly implement the ‘reward and punishment’ policy within the police force.
The Home Minister also called for a review of cases filed after the anti-discrimination movement, noting that many First Information Reports (FIRs) included hundreds or thousands of names without proper verification. He highlighted instances where third parties filed complaints instead of victims’ families, allegedly to pursue personal interests or extort money, thereby denying genuine victims justice.
Referring to the case of Chattogram’s first martyr, Wasim Akram, Ahmed revealed that the victim’s family could not file the case, while another political figure accused around 1,500 people. He suggested using video footage and circumstantial evidence to identify true perpetrators and instructed authorities to scrutinize relevant cases in Sylhet, removing innocents from accused lists as per Section 173 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Ahmed warned against lobbying, financial transactions, or unethical practices during this review, stressing that perpetrators and those who ordered crimes must not evade justice. He also addressed the prolonged closure of sand and stone quarries in Sylhet, stating that a national committee led by him is working to balance environmental protection with local employment opportunities. Coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, alongside court directives, is guiding government actions.
The minister directed officials to liaise with the Attorney General’s Office to resolve legal issues and expedite court proceedings regarding the quarries. He also emphasized the need for stronger border monitoring to prevent environmental degradation from hill torrents.
Ahmed asserted that the government would not tolerate mob action or anarchy, encouraging people to use democratic channels, such as memorandums and press conferences, to voice their demands instead of resorting to road blockades or sieges. He noted a more than 50 percent reduction in mob violence from 2025 to 2026 and urged authorities to eliminate such incidents in Sylhet.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, speaking as a special guest, advocated for stronger police action to eradicate drug issues and improve law and order in Sylhet. He called for a focus on top drug traffickers over users, requesting a list of 50 major dealers and visible results within a month to a month-and-a-half. Additionally, he emphasized the need for addressing logistical shortages in the SMP, establishing more police outposts, and providing adequate vehicles.
The meeting was attended by Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Quiyum Choudhury, Sylhet-3 MP Abdul Malek, Sylhet-6 MP Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, Sylhet-5 MP Mufti Mohammad Abul Hasan, BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, and senior administrative and police officials. The Home Minister directed law enforcement agencies to enhance preventive policing, rapidly gather intelligence on criminal activities, and take timely action against offenders.