Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday declared that Jungle Salimpur will no longer remain a safe haven for criminal and terrorist groups, saying those behind last week's attack on and demolition of newly established RAB and police camps there have already been identified.

“Those who dared to challenge the authority of the state by destroying law enforcement camps have been identified. Jungle Salimpur can no longer remain a safe haven for isolated terrorist groups,” he told reporters after visiting the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila of the district in the morning.

The visit came a week after armed criminals attacked and bulldozed newly built camps of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police.

The minister said the government has already prepared a list of illegal occupiers in the area and assured long-time residents that they will not be evicted, urging them to inform law enforcement agencies if anyone attempts to spread panic regarding possible eviction.

He said Jungle Salimpur will be freed from terrorism through planned and coordinated operations. “For the past 17 years, the Alinagar-Jungle Salimpur area has been known as a safe haven for criminals. We will eliminate terrorism from this area through joint operations,” he said.

Besides, similar drives will be conducted in the Betua and Tea Garden areas to annihilate terrorist activities, Salahuddin added.

Highlighting government's priorities, he said restoring law and order has been given top importance since the government took office in February.

“The government has a comprehensive master plan for Jungle Salimpur. The long-pending issue of relocating the central jail will be resolved soon, and necessary steps will be taken promptly,” the minister said.

Referring to drugs, terrorism, gambling and extortion activities across the country, he said strict action will be taken against these major crimes.

Talking about the limitations in existing gambling laws, Salahuddin said the Gambling Act of 1867 is inadequate to regulate modern online and offline gambling and betting activities.

“A new law is being drafted and we will try to introduce the necessary legal reforms in the next parliamentary session,” he said.

On narcotics control, the minister said the government plans to amend existing laws and establish special tribunals to ensure speedy disposal of drug-related cases. “Thousands of drug cases have remained pending for years. A new legal framework will help expedite their disposal,” he added.

Expressing concern over the growing activities of teen gangs, he said many adolescents are exploiting loopholes in existing laws and later becoming involved in organised crime.

Salahuddin stressed the need for legal reforms to address juvenile delinquency and said the government will pursue coordinated initiatives, legal changes and targeted operations to free the country from drugs, terrorism, gambling and extortion.

Meanwhile, strict security measures were in place throughout the 3,100-acre Jungle Salimpur area for the minister’s visit.

Members of the police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) were deployed at key points, while additional security personnel were stationed across the hilly and remote settlements.

Salahuddin arrived in Alinagar around 10:30am and later held a closed-door meeting with law enforcement and administrative officials.

He also announced that the government has a plan to improve road connectivity linking the area with Sitakunda, Chattogram city and Hathazari.

A gang of criminals attacked RAB and police camps at Jungle Salimpur in the early hours of May 25.