United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been placed on high alert amid developments following the assembly elections in West Bengal, assuring that the force remains fully prepared to prevent border infiltration and maintain law and order. Briefing reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting on improving the living standards of salt farmers chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said political changes or internal administrative decisions in any Indian state, including erecting barbed-wire fences along the border, are India’s internal matters. “Bangladesh maintains diplomatic relations with the central government of India based on sovereign equality. The change of political power in any specific state does not affect Bangladesh’s foreign policy or bilateral relations,” the Home Minister said. He said BGB remains on constant vigilance to prevent any unauthorised border crossings and ensure that the security situation remains stable. Responding to a question about information spreading on social media claiming atrocities against minorities following the West Bengal polls and their possible impact on Bangladesh, Salahuddin said many misleading posts were being circulated using old videos. “So far, neither the Home Ministry nor the Foreign Ministry has any information regarding the authenticity of such incidents or any negative impact on Bangladesh,” he said, urging people not to be misled by online propaganda. Turning to salt farmers, the Home Minister the government has taken initiatives to ensure a fair price for salt in line with production costs to achieve self-sufficiency in the salt industry and protect the interests of local salt farmers. He said the Ministry of Agriculture is currently reviewing the production costs of salt farmers so that they receive a proper price for their hard work. “The justification for imports is being verified by assessing the domestic demand for both industrial and edible salt.” Salahuddin stated that, upon the collection of accurate data and in accordance with the directives of the Prime Minister, decisions will be taken in such a manner that the country may achieve complete self-sufficiency in salt production, while ensuring that the farmers do not incur any losses.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday told Parliament that the government is committed to maintaining the law and order situation and has undertaken a series of comprehensive and coordinated measures to ensure it across the country. “The present democratic government remains firmly committed to maintaining law and order in the country and Bangladesh Police has undertaken plans to materialise the various goals of maintaining law and order and are implementing a range of operational strategies in line with government directives,” he said in response to a starred tabled question from independent lawmaker elected from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana.  “Based on intelligence inputs, regular and special drives are being conducted to recover illegal arms, explosives and narcotics, and legal actions are being taken accordingly,” he said. He added, “Checkposts have been set up at key points on roads and highways and both day and night patrols have been strengthened to prevent criminal activities.” Visible police patrols alongside enhanced intelligence surveillance are being carried out to prevent theft, robbery and mugging, he added.. “Community engagement has been strengthened through beat policing, community policing and open house day programmes to ensure public participation in maintaining law and order,” said the minister. The minister also said that modern technology is being increasingly used to combat crime. “Installation of CCTV cameras at important locations and the use of information technology are helping identify criminals and bring them to justice,” he said. He further informed the House that capacity building of police personnel is ongoing through modern training at home and abroad. The Case Data Management System (CDMS) is being used to store records of cases and crimes, which is assisting investigation processes,he added.

The process to increase the manpower of Bangladesh Coast Guard to 10,000 is currently underway, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Tuesday. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking the 31st founding anniversary and Coast Guard Day 2026 at the Coast Guard headquarters in Agargaon in the capital. The minister said the Bangladesh Coast Guard has become a symbol of trust in ensuring the security of the country’s maritime and coastal areas. Established in 1995 under the visionary leadership of then prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia with the motto “Guardian at Sea,” the force is being developed into a modern and capable organisation through various government initiatives, he added. Coast Guard has been actively engaged in preventing drug smuggling, curbing human trafficking, combating piracy, and protecting forest and fisheries resources in the Sundarbans, said the minister. Over the past year, the force conducted 29 successful drives in the Sundarbans, arresting 35 pirates and recovering a large cache of illegal arms and timber, he added. On modernization of Coast Guard, the minister said three surveillance drones have recently been added to the force. Construction of one multi-role response vessel and two offshore patrol vessels is progressing with funding from JICA and plans are also in place to procure bulletproof high-speed boats through Khulna Shipyard and to add helicopters and maritime surveillance systems in the future, said the minister. Director General of Bangladesh Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md Ziaul Haq delivered the welcome speech, while Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manjur Morshed Chowdhury spoke as a special guest. During the event, the minister awarded a total of 14 Coast Guard personnel for their bravery and service.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday told Parliament that the government has taken a series of comprehensive initiatives to further strengthen security at the country’s international airports. “Overall security at the country’s international airports has already been ensured. However, Bangladesh Police has taken a number of plans and is implementing them to further enhance security,” he said in response to a starred tabled question from ruling party lawmaker elected from Noakhali-5 Mohammed Fakhrul Islam in Parliament. He said checkpoints have been set up at entry and exit points as well as other important places while police patrols have been intensified in airport areas. The minister said a multi-layered security system has been introduced to ensure effective protection, and necessary actions are being taken based on intelligence inputs to prevent any ill attempt. He said security services are being strengthened through coordinated efforts and information sharing among police, intelligence agencies and airport authorities. Highlighting surveillance system, Salahuddin said, “Police surveillance has been increased to prevent theft and snatching incidents, CCTV cameras have been installed at important places and modern information technology is being used to ensure overall security.” He further said modern equipment and advanced technology are being used, adding, “Scanning system has been strengthened to ensure that no prohibited items can enter airport premises.” The minister also said special training programmes are being conducted to combat terrorism, ensure cyber security and handle emergency situation effectively. He said security has also been reinforced through the introduction of technology-based modern baggage systems, expansion of immigration counters, installation of advanced scanning machines, manpower increase and reorganization, and the use of body-worn cameras. “Strict monitoring has been put in place to prevent passenger harassment, and help desks have been introduced at airports to assist travellers,” he added.

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.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said his party will welcome any move by the opposition to form a ‘shadow cabinet’, as the practice exists in many developed democracies. “In many developed democracies, the opposition forms a shadow parliament. If they take such a step, we will welcome it,” he said while talking to reporters in front of the BNP Chairperson’s Gulshan office. Salahuddin Ahmed also presented a constitutional explanation regarding the oath of members of the Constitutional Reform Council. “If the Constitutional Reform Council is incorporated into the Constitution through an amendment, and if a specific oath format is included in the Third Schedule of the Constitution with a designated authority to administer that oath—only after all these conditions are met could such a process take place,” he said. However, a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat said the newly elected MPs of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad will first be sworn in as members of parliament (MPs), followed by their oath-taking as members of the Constitutional Reform Council on Tuesday at 10am in the Oath Room of the parliament complex. Uncertainty remains over whether the MPs elected from BNP will take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, as the party believes the existing Constitution contains no provision for such a council. While the Third Schedule of the Constitution specifies the oaths for various offices, including that of Members of Parliament, it does not mention any oath for members of a Constitutional Reform Council. Responding to questions from journalists, Salahuddin Ahmed said the constitutional responsibility of the Election Commission is to conduct the national parliamentary and presidential elections. Tarique Rahman quits Bogura-6, keeping Dhaka-17: EC The BNP leader explained that constitutionally, if the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is unavailable, unable, or has not nominated a representative, the second option is for the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) to administer the oath to the elected MPs. Besides, he said, the oath of the newly elected members will be held in Parliament at 10:00am tomorrow (Tuesday), which falls within the constitutional jurisdiction of the CEC. Earlier, on Sunday, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shishir Monir and NCP leader Asif Mahmud announced the formation of a shadow cabinet through their posts on the social media. Before Salahuddin Ahmed, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury spoke to journalists, expressing hope that the opposition will play a democratic role in Parliament in the interest of the country. He mentioned that the new BNP government will face several major challenges in running the country. “We want to move the country forward in a united manner.” Referring to major challenges across sectors such as education, healthcare and the economy, Khosru said, “All the institutions have been destroyed. There are challenges in restoring them as well. So we must confront these challenges. The trust that the people have placed in us will remain at the forefront of our minds.”

BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday hoped that the newly formed Jatiya Sangsad would be the most productive law-making house since the country’s independence and take steps to amend the Constitution. He also sought cooperation from people from all walks of life to build the country into a talent-based, technology-driven and knowledge-based state in line with the aspirations of the common people, martyrs and the younger generation. Salahuddin made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists in front of the party chairperson’s office in Gulshan in the afternoon. The BNP leader said the much-awaited national election was held peacefully and in a fair and impartial manner, meeting the expectations of the international community. He said the foundation of a strong democracy had been laid and that the process would continue. Salahuddin said democratic reforms of all state institutions and the desired constitutional reforms would be carried out, as outlined in the party’s 31-point manifesto, on the basis of which the election manifesto was prepared. Mirza Abbas says ‘vote engineering’ failed to override people’s mandate He said the July National Charter had already been signed, marking a political agreement. “This is a document of political consensus. It will be followed to the letter." Salahuddin Ahmed elected in the 13th national election obtaining 222,019 votes, while his nearest Jamaat contestant Abdullah Al Faruk bagged 129,728 votes and Islami Andolan contender Sarwar Alam Kutubi gained 4,528 votes.

BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed has said he feels a profound sense of responsibility and accountability to the people of his constituency who have elected him as their representative in the 13th Jatiya Sangshad. Reacting to the announcement of the unofficial results, he told the media that in Cox’s Bazar-1 (Chakaria and Pekua), voters had earlier elected his wife with a significant margin during his absence, which further deepened his sense of responsibility towards the people of the area. “People of this area were long deprived of development. I spent my childhood and school years here, and I have always dreamed of doing something for this region,” he said. Expressing gratitude to the people of Bangladesh, he said, “When I was in enforced disappearance, people prayed for me and journalists wrote about me. By the grace of Allah, your prayers were answered and I returned with dignity to a fascism-free Bangladesh.” He said he had made many commitments and would strive to deliver even more than he had promised. Referring to the party’s overall victory, Salahuddin said the victory had been anticipated. “We will not hold any victory processions. We have many responsibilities ahead. We do not want to create any tension through celebratory rallies,” he added. According to the unofficial results, Salahuddin Ahmed secured 222,019 votes. His nearest rival, Jamaat candidate Abdullah Al Faruk, received 129,728 votes, while Islami Andolan contender Sarwar Alam Kutubi obtained 4,528 votes.

Four BNP candidates including its standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and one Jamaat contestant were unofficially elected, according to the announcement the Election Commission made after Thursday midnight. In Cox’s Bazar-1: BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed obtained 222,019 votes, while his nearest Jamaat contestant Abdullah Al Faruk bagged 129,728 votes and Islami Andolan contender Sarwar Alam Kutubi gained 4,528 votes. In Chattogram-16: Jamaat candidate Jahirul Islam obtained 93,167 votes, while his nearest rival BNP’s Mishkatul Islam Chowdhury gained 83,105 votes, independent candidate Leyakat Ali pocketed 55,492 votes, Islami Andolan got 4,054 votes. In Bandarban: BNP candidate Saching Pru obtained 141,455 votes, while his nearest rival NCP contender Abu Sayed Md Sujauddin got 26,162 votes. EC's official announcements see BNP take lead in 15 seats, Jamaat in 4 In Sherpur-2:  BNP candidate Fahim Chowdhury obtained 118,472 votes, while his nearest rival Jamaat contender Golam Kibria got 108,335 votes. In Tangail-7: BNP candidate Abul Kalam Azad Siddiqui obtained 141,253 votes, while his nearest rival Jamaat contender Abdullah Ebne Abul Hossain got 71,040 votes.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed has taken a commanding lead in Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency. Unofficial results show Salahuddin has secured 102,110 votes in 74 out of 177 polling centres. His nearest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Abdullah Al Faruk received 45,073 votes in the same centres, said Chakaria Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Shaheen Delwar. BNP sweeps Thakurgaon as Fakhrul praises peaceful polls Cox’s Bazar-1 constituency comprises Chakaria and Pekua upazilas and has a total of 540,468 registered voters. Election officials said vote counting in the remaining centres is ongoing, and the figures are unofficial until the final results are declared.