United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday said the new Bangladesh achieved through sacrifices would ensure a police force free from political interference. "We are going through a historic transformation where the responsibilities of new officers are much greater. In the new Bangladesh achieved through the sacrifices of martyrs of July the police force will be kept completely free from political interference," he said. The minister came up with the remarks while addressing the passing-out parade of the 43rd BCS (Police) batch at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sarada of Rajshahi.

A parliamentary special committee on Tuesday agreed to recommend that the indemnity ordinance issued under the interim government to provide legal protection to individuals including students who participated in the July Uprising of 2024, be adopted in full as a bill in Parliament. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed this while talking to reporters after the committee’s first meeting at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. He said the committee unanimously supported the ordinance, which grants indemnity to those involved in the uprising, describing them as ‘brave fighters’ whose legal protection is both a moral and state responsibility. Following the meeting, Law Minister Asaduzzaman said the committee has also started reviewing 133 ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the interim government. “We are carefully examining each ordinance in detail. A comprehensive report will be finalised and submitted by April 2,” he said. He added that the primary objective of the review is to ensure a balance between constitutional provisions and public expectations. “Our goal is to move forward by ensuring harmony between the Constitution and the aspirations of people. However, the supremacy of the Constitution will be upheld in all cases,” he added. The Law Minister also clarified that the committee’s recommendations will not automatically become law. Instead, the panel will submit its observations and proposals to Parliament which will take the final decision on whether those recommendations should be transformed into law, he said. Meanwhile, according to a press release from Parliament Secretariat, the first meeting of a special committee formed by the Parliament was held at the Cabinet Room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, chaired by Committee chairman Zainul Abedin, a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Vice Chairman and Member of Parliament for Barishal-3. Committee members present included Home Minister Salauddin Ahmed, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam,  Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, Dr Muhammad Osman Faruk, A M Mahbub Uddin, State Minister for Public Administration Md Abdul Bari, Muhammad Nowshad Zamir, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmeen, Md Mujibur Rahman, Md Rafiqul Islam Khan, and G M Nazrul Islam. At the outset, the committee observed a one-minute silence and offered prayers seeking eternal peace for those killed during the July 2024 mass uprising. The meeting held detailed discussions on a wide range of ordinances issued by the interim government. These included amendments related to the Anti-Corruption Commission, Special Security Force, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, government service laws, counter-terrorism measures, prevention of enforced disappearance, police reforms, human trafficking and migrant smuggling prevention, land use regulation and agricultural land protection, environmental conservation, civil aviation, and various development authorities, among others. Key ordinances such as the “July Uprising (Protection and Accountability) Ordinance, 2026”, “Prevention of Enforced Disappearance Ordinance, 2025" and its 2026 amendment, and “Police Commission Ordinance, 2025” were also reviewed during the session. The committee decided to continue examining the remaining ordinances at subsequent meetings. It further resolved to assess the necessity and validity of all ordinances and submit a comprehensive report to Parliament at the earliest opportunity. After the meeting, committee chairman Zainul Abedin told reporters that a couple of members "have some opinions" on some of the issues in these ordinances.  "We have asked them to discuss them in the next meeting. If they cannot complete it in the next meeting, I have asked them to give it in writing," he disclosed.  The committee chairman said that their deliberations will resume tomorrow at 2 pm. If all the checks and selections are not completed, there will be more meetings. They hope to be able to submit a report by April 2.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said two suspects in Hadi murder case who were arrested in India will be brought back to Bangladesh under the existing extradition treaty between the two countries. “The Home Ministry has already taken steps regarding the arrest of the two accused while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been requested to take necessary measures to bring them back in line with the the extradition agreement,” said the minister. He made the remarks while talking to reporters after attending a district law and order committee meeting in Cox’s Bazar, his first such meeting in his home district after assuming office. Efforts on to bring back 2 Hadi murder suspects held in India: IGP Salahuddin Ahmed also said a list of drug traders is being prepared in a highly professional manner. “The list will not be made public as doing so could create political influence and lead to possible errors,” he said. Incidents of mob violence will not be allowed in the country and all terrorists and extortionists will be brought under the law to ensure good governance, said Salahuddin. The minister also announced measures to restore discipline in the tourism sector of Cox’s Bazar. He said illegal permanent and temporary structures set up on the sand dunes along the sea beach will be removed within a week and the tourist areas will be kept clean. He further said CCTV cameras will be installed at important points in the town to improve the law and order situation. Among others, lawmakers Shahjahan Chowdhury and Lutfur Rahman Kajol, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Abdul Mannan, Superintendent of Police ANM Sajedur Rahman and Cox’s Bazar district BNP general secretary Shamima Ara Swapna were present.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday said the government will soon start the recruitment process of 10,000 police constables. Necessary steps are being taken to strengthen the police force, he told reporters at a briefing at the Bangladesh Secretariat. The Minister said instructions have also been given to expedite recruitment to fill up 180 vacant posts of police sergeants. Recruitment to these posts will be completed through proper examinations in near future, he added. Besides, sub-inspectors (SIs) and assistant superintendents of police (ASPs) will be recruited through the Bangladesh Public Service Commission, said the Minister. The Home Minister said law and order committees at district and upazila levels across the country have been reconstituted. An office order in this regard was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs earlier in the day. He added that directives have been given to formulate plans and implement them accordingly to improve law and order situation.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said 2,701 police constables will be recruited on an emergency basis to address the existing manpower shortage in the force. Talking to journalists at the Secretariat, the minister said restoring law and order and rebuilding public confidence remain the government’s top priorities. He said efforts are underway to make law enforcement agencies more people-friendly, in line with public expectations. The Home Minister also warned that prompt action would be taken against anyone obstructing police in the discharge of their lawful duties. “No one — whether for political or social reasons — will be allowed to interfere with police work,” he said. At the same time, he said, police activities would be closely monitored to ensure that the public does not suffer in any way. Al firearms issued during the previous government would be reviewed to ensure they were distributed in accordance with the law, the minister added.

The 13th National Parliament is likely to go into its maiden session on March 12 next month or one or two days earlier, said Home Minister and BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed. “The first session of the National Parliament will begin on March 12 next month or one or two days earlier,” he told journalists on Saturday night. The BNP leader said the Speaker and Deputy Speaker will be elected during the session. “During this session, the ordinances promulgated during the tenure of the interim government will be placed before Parliament, and an obituary motion will also be presented,” he added. Earlier, on February 17, the newly elected members of the 13th Parliament--from both the treasury and opposition benches--were sworn in by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin. Later, the BNP Parliamentary Party (BPP) unanimously elected party Chairman Tarique Rahman as the Leader of the House. Meanwhile, Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has been chosen as the Leader of the Opposition by opposition MPs. The 13th parliamentary election was held on February 12. Out of 300 seats in the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, results for two seats have been suspended, while polling in one seat was cancelled following the death of a candidate. Of the remaining 297 seats, BNP secured 209, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami 68, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP) six, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish two, while Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Gano Odhikar Parishad, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Ganosamhati Andolon and Khelafat Majlish won one seat each. Independent candidates secured seven seats.  

Denying any negligence in their duties over the reported escape of ex-home minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Lt. Col. Munim Ferdous, chief of RAB's media wing, on Wednesday said it has been performing its duties assigned to it properly. He came up with the remark at a press conference held at RAB's media center in Karwan Bazar in response to a question from reporters over the RAB’s role after a private television channel released a video showing the former home minister strolling through a park in Kolkata. RAB arrests local AL, Jubo League leaders in Meherpur’s Gangni The video sparked widespread debate about the role of law enforcement agencies in preventing the fleeing of ex-ministers or MPs of the ousted government. He said, "We do not want to say there was any carelessness or negligence from RAB. We are fulfilling the responsibilities assigned to us to the best of our abilities. Within our scope of work, we have taken the necessary actions."

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan visited the pavilions of different countries at the World Defence Show 2024 in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh on Tuesday. During the visit, the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Javed Patwary accompanied him. 64 more members of Myanmar security forces enter Bangladesh on Wednesday: BGB The minister, later, visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh and discussed with the embassy officials about the various problems and solutions to the problems of Bangladeshi expatriates. He directed the embassy officials to be more active in the interests of the Bangladeshi expatriates staying in Saudi Arabia and to be more aware that they can easily get passports and other services at the right time. FM Hasan, Jaishankar discuss scope of future engagement in line with "Smart Bangladesh 2041" and "Viksit Bharat 2047" Khan also visited the Bangladesh Consulate office in Jeddah. The minister is scheduled to return home on February 11 after performing the holy Umrah. "I am amazed by what Bangladesh’s women farmers can achieve when provided the opportunity"

The nation witnessed a free, fair and festive election held on Sunday (January 7), Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said tonight. The minister, also the AL nominated candidate from Dhaka-12 constituency, said this in a video message on Saturday night after securing the win in his seat. Obaidul Quader wins Noakhali-5 He also thanked the voters for electing him for the fourth consecutive time. People have voted for their favorite candidate and exercised their voting rights in a fair environment without any fear, he added. Dipu Moni secures Chandpur-3 seat "We want to achieve our smart Bangladesh goal under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and want to build a developed Bangladesh as she has dreamt of," he said. Brahmanbaria-4: Anisul Huq secures 3rd consecutive victory

BNP activists are instigating the garment workers, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday. “Garment workers’ salary were increased earlier and the garment owners will solve the workers’ problem. But it has been seen that the BNP activists instigating the innocent workers ,” he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat. RMG worker injured in clash with law enforcers dies at DMCH Turning down the United Nations’ observation that BNP leaders are being arrested due to political vengeance, Asaduzzaman said “They (BNP) killed a policeman and injured many policemen during the October 28 rally. The law enforcement agencies arrested those people involved in beating a female leader, attacking chief justice’s residence after checking video footages. Without asking their activists to refrain from carrying out attacks the BNP leaders declared hartal from the rally stage. Top leaders are also responsible for that.” Talking about the UN Chief's request to allow BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment after releasing her, the home minister said the government has taken steps to provide better treatment for her with the facility to bring physicians from abroad. 5 cops hurt in APC blast during clash with RMG workers in Gazipur Replying to a question about BNP’s participation in the next election, he said its’ BNP’s decision whether they will take part in the election or not. Referring to the arson attacks being carried out by the opposition activists during the ongoing blockade, Asaduzzaman, said the people of the country will resist them.