Home Minister
US sanctions on law enforcement officials lack specific info: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has said that the United States has imposed sanctions on some Bangladeshi law enforcement officials without any specific information.
The minister said this after attending a conference at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital on Saturday noon.
“People say a lot of things. No one believes in something lacks proper information and proof. Such is the case with the US sanctions,” said Kamal.
Kamal added that UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet didn’t raise any concern about the country’s human rights situation during her recent visit.
“We had a long discussion with Bachelet. We provided detailed answers to some of her questions regarding our human rights issues. We even answered her questions about enforced disappearance through a video presentation. After watching the video, she didn’t raise any more questions,” Kamal added.
Read: Home Minister drops in on Bachelet
Replying to a question, the minister also said that the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party is spreading propaganda about the country’s human rights issues to create an anarchic situation.
“Whatever the BNP says is totally baseless. Bachelet understood this and that’s why she didn’t raise any concern about the human rights condition of Bangladesh,” Kamal said.
Home Minister drops in on Bachelet
If any law enforcers picks up someone, they have to be produced before the court within 24 hours, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday.
“Those who are observing the ‘EnForced Disappearance Day’ with many information and documents, are doing this centering a purpose. But the law enforcement agencies, who picked up someone from any place, produced them before the court within 24 hours,” he said.
Asaduzzaman came up with the remark while talking to reporters after meeting with visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet at State guesthouse Padma on Sunday afternoon.
Also read: No enforced disappearance, no restrictions on freedom: Momen tells Bachelet
Law Minister Anisul Huq and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen also met Bachelet separately.
Earlier, Bachelet discussed the issues of forced disappearances, freedom of media, human rights and others.
Talking about the victims of enforced disappearances, Asaduzzaman, said allegations of sabotage activities were brought against some of them while many of them were disturbed for family feud and many of them were in hiding of their own accord.
Many of them have been on the run due to lack of success in business, loan defaulters and other reasons, he said adding “If anyone went on disappearance of self then it is difficult to find him/her.”
Also read: Bangladesh wants “constructive dialogue” as UN rights chief arrives Sunday
Referring to the Myanmar issue, the minister said Myanmar did not keep their word in taking back Rohingyas.
“Bachelet said that Myanmar is not in a good position that’s why Rohingyas are reluctant to go to their own country but the UN is working to bring back the Rohingyas,” he said.
Fugitive killers of Bangabandhu will be brought back soon: Kamal
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, many people involved in the assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman have been brought under the law.
Now rest of the killers, who are outside the country will be brought back soon, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Friday.
"We will bring back all the killers of Bangabandhu wherever they are," he said.
The minister said this on the first day of the 6-day programme on the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 47th martyrdom anniversary organized by the Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Chittagong Metropolitan and District Unit on Friday afternoon.
On August 15, the ugliest attempt was made to kill all the family members of Bangabandhu, because they knew very well that if any of those who had Bangabandhu's blood in their veins survived, the murderers would be judged one day", added the minister
He also said that the freedom fighters responded to Bangabandhu's call with infinite courage and Bangabandhu's daughter rewarded them for that sacrifice. The government is providing various facilities including allowances to freedom fighters.
Read: Militancy has no place in Bangladesh: Home Minister
"We will hold a rally of freedom fighters of Bangladesh to prove that we are still ready to face any conspiracy," added the minister.
Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque inaugurated the programme under the chairmanship of Muktijoddha Sangsad Chittagong City Commander Mozaffar Ahmed.
Meanwhile, Chittagong University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Shirin Akter, Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Krishnapad Roy, Chittagong Range DIG Anwar Hossain, Chittagong District Commissioner Mominur Rahman and Chittagong Superintendent of Police Rashedul Haque were also present on the occasion.
Earlier this day, Kamal visited the Bangladesh Coast Guard's sea exercise held in the Bay of Bengal.
Home Minister visits coast guards & Rohingyas on Bhasanchar island
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Thursday visited Bhasanchar to see the Rohingya camp and Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) station on the island in Noakhali district.
Media officer of the Coast Guard Headquarters here Lt. Commander Khandaker Munif Taqi said the home minister planted trees on the island and observed various activities of BCG.
Senior Secretary of Public Security division under the home Ministry Md. Akhtar Hossain, Secretary of Security Services Division Md. Abdullah Al Masood Chowdhury, BGB Director General Major General Sakil Ahmed and Bangladesh Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Ashraful Haque Chowdhury accompanied the minister.
Also read: Seven Rohingyas detained while trying to escape Bhasan Char
Senior officials of Bangladesh Coast Guard were also present, the officer said.
Bhasan Char, also known as Char Piya, is an island in Hatiya Upazila in Noakhali district. Until 2019 it was known as Thengar Char. It is located in the Bay of Bengal, about 6 kilometres from Sandwip island and 37 miles from the mainland.
In late 2020, the government began relocating Rohingya refugees from the Cox’s Bazar camps Bhasan Char. The Government had decided to relocate a total of 100,000 refugees in phases. As of April this year, 30,000, refugees have been taken to the island.
Also read: 18 Rohingyas fleeing from Bhasanchar arrested in Mirsarai
Bangladesh is currently hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in camps in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char. Most of them fled to this country since August 25, 2017, when the Myanmar military launched a brutal offensive targeting the Muslim ethnic minorities.
Govt has no bar for BNP to hold peaceful demonstrations: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that the law enforcement agencies will not restrict the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) if they carry on their programmes in a systematic way.
The minister was speaking to journalists after attending a meeting at the Secretariat on law and order situation during the National Mourning Day on August 15.
“BNP is a political party. They have their own strategies. It’s up to them whether they’ll participate in the next general elections or not. But we won’t let them to block the roads or damage peoples’ lives and properties,” said Kamal.
Also read: ‘Mega’ corruption, plundering by govt behind loadshedding: BNP
Kamal added that the fact that the government isn’t interrupting BNP’s activities in front of the Press Club shows that the government has no objection to peaceful political activities.
“The people will decide whether they’ll listen to BNP’s call to come to the streets or not. The way the country is moving forward indicates that the people won’t go back to darkness,” added Kamal.
According to the minister, security will be beefed up in Dhanmondi and Banani areas of the capital on August 15 as important persons including the prime minister and foreign diplomats will move on the day.
Also read: Creating rumors now the main task of BNP leaders: AL
“Even the mausoleum of Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Gopalganj will be covered in security blanket. A large number of police will be deployed across the country while the Detective Branch (DB) of police will also ramp up its surveillance. We won’t let anyone to carry out any subversive activities,” Kamal said.
Militancy has no place in Bangladesh: Home Minister
Home Minister Assaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Sunday said that militancy has no place in Bangladesh as the government put down the menace successfully with cooperation from cross-section of people.
He was addressing at the unveiling of the cover of a book titled 'Extremism and Terrorism through the Eyes of Islam' compiled by the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), a specialized unit of the Bangladesh Police, at Rajarbagh Police Auditorium on Sunday.
He also said that the students of General Madrasa, Qaumi Madrasa also stood with banners denouncing militancy.
Chaired by Additional IG of Anti-Terrorism Unit Md Kamrul Ahsan, the event was also addressed by Senior Secretary of Public Security Division under the Home Ministry Md. Akhtar Hossain, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed, Sholakia Eidgah Maidan Grand Imam Shaikhul Islam Allama Farid Uddin Masood.
The home minister said the law enforcement agencies are on guard against the elements who are still conspiring to turn Bangladesh into a failed state.
Read: Probe on to find if administration failed to stop humiliation of Narail teacher: Home Minister
Probe on to find if administration failed to stop humiliation of Narail teacher: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Wednesday said the authority is investigating the recent assault on a teacher in Narail to determine if the district administration had any negligence.
He was talking to journalists after a meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat to discuss law and order all over the country including industrial zones during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.
Asked about the humiliation of the teacher in front of the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police of Narail, the home minister said, “We are really sorry for this sudden incident. Some agitated people insulted a teacher. Our DC and SP had taken measures immediately. However, I will inform you (Journalists) after getting the real information in details.”
Read: College teacher murder: Prime accused’s father arrested from Kushtia
On June 18, a Hindu student of Mirzapur United Degree College made a post on Facebook supporting suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.
There was daylong unrest at the college over the post and a rumour that acting principal Swapan Kumar Biswas had sided with the student, following which police escorted him outside the college campus. At one stage a group of men forced him to wear a garland of shoes.
A video of the incident soon went viral on social media that sparked huge criticism. Different organizations including Bangladesh Mahila Parishad protested the incident and demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in it.
A case was filed in this connection with local police station.
Meanwhile, police arrested three persons in this connection and are trying to arrest the other accused in the case.
In response to another question on killing a teacher by a student in Savar, the minister said police have already arrested the accused student’s father and will surely nab the alleged murderer. The culprit will be given punishment as per the law.
Read:Law soon to make dope test mandatory before university admission: Home Minister
About the security of the Padma Bridge and motorcycle movement on it, the minister said, “No decision has been taken yet about the movement of motorcycles. The Roads and Highways Department will decide after discussion with the other organisations. Two new police stations have been set up on both sides of the bridge".
He said the authorities remain alert to prevent any sabotage on the bridge and CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the whole bridge.
Over 4,400 Eid cattle markets will be set up across the country:Home Minister
No one without a mask will be allowed to enter the cattle markets to be set up ahead of Eid-ul-Azha across the country, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday.
This year, a total of 4,407 eid cattle markets will be set up where everyone must follow Covid health guidelines, he said while talking to reporters after a meeting over law and order situation ahead of the religious festival.
Ten cattle markets will be set up in Dhaka North City Corporation while 12 in Dhaka South city Corporation, said Asaduzzaman.
Read: Special cattle train on C'ganj-Dhaka route ahead of Eid
Additional law enforcement force will be deployed in the cattle markets to provide security to traders and buyers, he said. The agencies will also help traders safe transfer of their cash.
Noting that there will be no cattle markets on the roads and highways, Asaduzzaman said no cattle-laden vehicles can be taken to any market against the traders' will.
Referring to the rawhides of sacrificial animals, the minister said strict surveillance will be enforced to prevent its smuggling abroad.
The commerce Ministry will fix the price of rawhides.
New law on police force on anvil: Home minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday announced that a new law for the Bangladesh Police will be enacted considering the current situation.
The minister also said work is underway to draft Bangladesh Police Act aimed at turning the force more people friendly and service oriented.
In reply to a tabled query from Jatiya Party MP Fakhrul Imam in parliament he said various sections and sub-sections in this regard have been added in the draft Police Act.
Read: 70 held in anti-drugs drives across Dhaka
Fakhrul wanted to know whether a full-fledged law would be enacted immediately to prevent chaos in police and to ensure transparency.
The home minister said the police is a disciplined force.
However, in case of negligence or violation of law by any police member in discharging professional duties, action is taken as per the prevailing rules, he said.
He also said there is no room for creating chaos in the police force.
Read: PM in JS: Measures taken to make next parliamentary polls more acceptable
The minister also highlighted the various laws and regulations that are effective in maintaining the internal discipline of the police.
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Law soon to make dope test mandatory before university admission: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said dope test will be made mandatory for the students before university admission by amending the relevant law.
He said laws are being amended and students will be brought under dope test according to the law. “Medical tests including the dope test will be done at the time of their admission.”
Read: Dope test for drivers to be made compulsory: Home Minister
The minister informed this at a press conference on the occasion of 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking, 2022' at the secretariat.
Replying to a question, the Home Minister said, "We have already started dope test of police members when the Prime Minister announced zero tolerance against drug abuse."
They also sent a proposal to the Prime Minister to introduce dope test for government officials and employees before their recruitment.
Read:DU mulling over ways to implement its dope test
“To do this infrastructure needs to be developed and efforts are already on,” he added.