United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said currently the government sees no grounds to take legal action against former President Mohammed Shahabuddin and he would receive all legal privileges and security as entitled under the law. “There is nothing that we see as grounds for arresting the former president. He will get all the facilities he is entitled to under the law. He will also receive security,” the minister told reporters after a programme at the Secretariat where awards and honours were distributed among police members for bravery and commendable services. “He will receive security from SSF and PGR for six months. Besides, police and other agencies will also ensure his security according to the law,” he added. Responding to a question about ongoing demands by different quarters seeking the Shahabuddin’s arrest, the minister said people have the right to express their views and stage protests. “However we have not found any statement there that requires our consideration,” he said. The home minister said Shahabuddin performed his duties as president in accordance with the Constitution during his tenure. “He carried out constitutional responsibilities during the final period of the authoritarian government, the interim government and the current government. We received his cooperation,” he said. Referring to the constitutional immunity enjoyed by the president while in office, Salahuddin said Shahabuddin had such protection during his tenure as per the Constitution. “If anyone has any allegations regarding any period outside his official responsibilities, those will be dealt with according to the law,” he said. On a reported audio clip of an alleged phone conversation involving the former president, the minister said, “We have seen it in newspapers. We do not have any such information.” “In today’s internet era, the idea that someone would have to go to London to talk to someone seems unrealistic to me,” he added. On allegations of smuggling along the Sylhet border under political patronage, Salahuddin said he had no such information. “If we receive any complaint, we will certainly investigate it,” he said. Responding to a question on whether the recovery of an IED-like device near Motijheel metro station on the day of the Hindu community’s Ulta Rath Yatra had any motive, the minister said the government is not viewing the matter from that perspective. He said law enforcement agencies and intelligence organisations worked together to ensure the peaceful completion of the Rath Yatra and Ulta Rath Yatra. “The device was found coincidentally that day. I do not think it has any connection with the religious event,” he said. The minister said the device was detected due to the alertness of Ansar members. Later, police cordoned off the area and a bomb disposal unit neutralised it. He added that the Ansar members who identified the device would also be rewarded. At the programme, police members were given financial rewards and certificates for arresting robbery suspects and recovering stolen goods as well as for recovering a lost bag of an expatriate and ensuring it reached the airport in time. Salahuddin said such recognition would remain a lifelong achievement for the officers. “They realise that the state honours them for public service. It will increase respect for their families and their standing in society, encouraging them to do more,” he said. Asked why police medals were not awarded during this year’s Police Week, the minister said some irregularities were found while reviewing the list prepared in haste. “After verification, some errors were detected and in one or two cases, irregularities were also found. The medals will be awarded after proper scrutiny and refinement of the list,” he said.