Home Minister
Police becoming people-friendly: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said the police is gradually being transformed into a people-friendly force.
“The leading role of the police in tackling the corona situation and militancy reminds us of Bangabandhu's Janata's Police (People's Police). Gradually, the police is truly becoming the Janatar’s Police of Bangabandhu and Prime Minister’s Janabandhab Police (People-friendly Police,” he said.
Read:Bangladesh police opened a new chapter during pandemic: Home Minister
The Home Minister was addressing the inaugural foundation training course for 3,000 newly-recruited police constables at Bangladesh Police Academy, Sardah in the district.
“Our police will be a world-class force. We’ve shown it not only in words but also in works,” he said, adding that 3,000 trainee constables have been recruited through a transparent and modern process.
He said the nature of crime is changing in the developed world and the police of Bangladesh is also moving forward accordingly to deal with the new offences.
Read:Drugs sale has gone online, says home minister
Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, Public Security Division’s Senior Secretary Mostafa Kamal Uddin and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed also spoke at the function presided over by Principal of the Bangladesh Police Academy Khandker Golam Faruq.
Drugs sale has gone online, says home minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday said that drugs are being sold online, but the government will crack down on the peddlers. “Those who are involved in it (online sale) will be hunted down,” he said.
Read:2 death-row convicts in Avijit murder case hiding abroad: Home Minister The minister was talking to reporters after a meeting with the Narcotics Control Advisory Committee at the Bangladesh Secretariat. There are over 4.58 lakh cases lodged under Narcotics Control Act and legal assistance will be taken to dispose of the cases, he said. The Narcotics Control Advisory Committee also recommended bringing the drug addicts to normal life by increasing treatment facilities, he added. Replying to a question over the High Court rule over classifying alcohol into the Narcotics Control Act , he said “Liquor and alcohol were already categorised as a drug but as there are directives from court, we’ll scrutinize it.” Besides, stern action will be taken against the drug traders through drives. Messages will be put un media about the harmful effects of drugs, he said. The meeting also recommended changing the name of the Drug Rehabilitation center to ‘Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre’ as 70 per cent drug addicts were not fully recovered, he added.
Read: No legal scope to send Khaleda abroad: Home Minister It further recommended making dope test for job entry mandatory and the government is going to introduce it as per the directives of the prime minister, said Asaduzzaman. Other suggestions include steps to form a dedicated court for the disposal of narcotics cases, he said.
“Drugs are coming from India and Myanmar. We have taken steps to construct a border road and once it is completed, the border guards can better patro the area and control illegal drug smuggling," he said.
No legal scope to send Khaleda abroad: Home Minister
As per the opinion of the Law Ministry, there is no scope in the law to allow BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to go abroad for medical treatment, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday.
“The Law Ministry in its opinion said there’s no scope in law to let Khaleda Zia go abroad for treatment. The Law Ministry gave its opinion with the explanation of the relevant law, and we’re reviewing it,” he said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
Read: Khaleda’s plea to go abroad: Law Ministry forwards opinion to Home Ministry
The opinion of the ministry will be sent to the Prime Minister after its review, the home minister said.
On Monday, the Law Ministry forwarded its opinion to the Home Ministry on an application seeking permission to allow Khaleda Zia to go abroad for treatment.
2 death-row convicts in Avijit murder case hiding abroad: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Tuesday said sacked Major Syed Mohammad Ziaul Haque and Akram Hossain alias Abir, two death-row convicts in blogger Avijit Roy killing case, are hiding in another country. “We’re looking for the whereabouts of Ziaul and Akram and we’ve information that they went into hiding in another country,” he said.
Read: No scope in law for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, says Home Minister The home minister came up with the remark a day after the USA announced a reward up to $5 million for information on the attack against Avijit Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed. He was talking to reporters at a programme after inaugurating a sculptor of a freedom fighter at Harirampur Upazila Parishad in Manikganj district. “A fair investigation into the Avijit murder was conducted and a group of militants of the banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) took part in the killing mission. Militants were active in the country during this period but they failed to continue it due to the proactive role of the law enforcement agencies,” he said. The U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, through its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) office, offered the reward for information on the attack against Avijit Roy and his wife Rafida Ahmed. The Secretary of State has authorized the reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction in any country of anyone involved in the murder of Avijit and the attack on Ahmed, according to US Department of State. Writer and founder of Mukto Mona blog Avijit Roy, son of late physicist Ajoy Roy, was hacked to death, but his wife Banya escaped with serious injuries after unidentified assailants attacked them with meat cleavers near TSC on the Dhaka University campus on the evening of February 26, 2015, as they were returning home from the Amor Ekushey Boi Mela. Avijit’s late father filed a murder case with Shahbagh Police Station the very next day.
Read:Bangladesh’s illegal drug problem lies in its geographical location: Home Minister On February 16, a tribunal in Dhaka sentenced five members of the banned militant outfit Ansar-Al-Islam to death and another to life term imprisonment in a case over the killing of Avijit Roy. Judge of the Dhaka Anti-Terrorism Tribunal Md Mujibur Rahman handed down the verdict. The condemned convicts are sacked Major Syed Mohammad Ziaul Haque, a suspected coordinator of the banned militant outfit Ansar-Al-Islam, Mozammel Hossain alias Saimon, Abu Siddiq Sohel alias Sakib alias Sajid alias Shahab, and Akram Hossain alias Abir, Md Arafat Rahman. The tribunal also fined them Tk 50,000 each. The tribunal also sentenced Shafiur Rahman Farabi to life imprisonment. It also fined him Tk 50000, in default, to suffer two years more imprisonment.
No scope in law for Khaleda’s treatment abroad, says Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said there is no scope to send BNP chief Khaleda Zia abroad for her treatment as per the country’s law. “As per the law, there’s no scope but a delegation of the BNP-led 20-party alliance came and said the Prime Minister can do it if she wishes but so far I know there is no scope,” he said. The minister came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with the leaders of five political parties under the BNP-led 20-party alliance at the Secretariat.
“The leaders of five parties of the BNP-led alliance came here and said Khaleda Zia is fighting for life and they submitted an application to the Prime Minister seeking steps to create a scope for sending the BNP chief abroad for better treatment,” he said. “I’ve said it earlier that Khaleda’s younger brother also filed a petition and I sent it to the Law Ministry for its opinion, and the Law Minister has said in details while speaking in Parliament,” the minister said.
READ: Khaleda’s condition improves slightly: Physician
The leaders of the BNP-led delegation made a request to consider the matter on human grounds. “I’ll send the letter to the PM,” said Asaduzzaman. Replying to a question about brining physicians from abroad, the minister said, “It’s possible to bring any specialized physician from abroad and our hospitals are well-equipped. So, they can continue treatment here.” The leaders of five parties under the BNP-led met the Home Minister at his office at noon and handed over the letter seeking permission to send Khaleda Zia abroad. Bangladesh Kalyan Party Chairman Syed Ibrahim said: “We’ve met the Home Minister and submitted a letter to him. The Home Minister has heard our plea seriously and assured us of sending the letter to the Prime Minister.” On behalf of the family, Khaleda's younger brother, Shamim Iskander, submitted an application to the Home Ministry on November 11 urging the government to allow her to go abroad for better treatment.
READ: Govt should allow ailing Khaleda to go abroad: Reza Kibria However, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the government will consider Khaleda Zia’s appeal if she submits a fresh petition after returning to jail.
Bangladesh’s illegal drug problem lies in its geographical location: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday told Parliament that Bangladesh faces the illegal drug problem due to its geographical location as narcotics come here from neighbouring countries.
“Bangladesh has fallen into the drug problem due to geographical reasons, though it is not a drug-producing country,” he said, replying to a tabled question from Awami League MP Nurunnabi Chowdhury.
Read: BGB seizes smuggled goods, drugs worth Tk 80cr
The Home Minister said illegal drugs enter Bangladesh from neighbouring India and Myanmar. Yaba comes from Myanmar, while cannabis, phensedyl, heroin and injection drugs come from India, he added.
Reiterating the government's zero tolerance policy against drugs, he said 31,545 drug smugglers were brought to book by filing 23,800 cases in the first three months (July-Sept) of the current financial year.
Read: 3 drug peddlers held with 50,000 yaba pills
In the cases, 15,549,938 (1.55 crore) pieces of yaba, 116.187 kg heroin, 20,742 kg cannabis, 81,864 bottles of phensedyl, 19,248 ampoules injecting drug and 57,971 bottles of foreign liquor were seized.
Security forces working to help EC hold fair polls: Home Minister
Security forces are working to help the Election Commission hold fair Union Parisahd elections, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina clearly instructed us to ensure fair holding of the elections and security forces are working accordingly,” he told reporters at the secretariat. Responding to a question over violence in the UP elections, the Home Minister said, “Police personnel are performing their duties. The elections are being held in a broad area. You know clashes and violence for establishing supremacy are common in UP elections.”
Incidents of killings and injuries were reported from different places and police have arrested the offenders after identifying them, he added.
Read: 2nd phase of UP polls marred by violence; 6 dead Voting for the second phase of the union parishad polls is underway in the country, with over 41,000 candidates in the fray for different posts.
Truck and freight transport leaders also withdraw strike
Leaders of freight transport owners-workers association postponed their strike after a meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal at the secretariat on Monday night.
Coordinator of Bangladesh Truck, Covered Van, Tank Lorry, Prime Mover Owners and Workers Coordination Council Hossain Ahmed Majumder said that they have agreed to postpone the strike after the home minister's assurances to meet their demands.
Read:Strike called off as bus fares raised
The meeting at the secretariat started at 8 pm in the evening.
In accordance to the three-point demand of the association, the government has agreed to increase the transportation fare in proportion to the increase in diesel price.
The association’s demand to cut increased toll on two bridges has also been agreed with.
The third point in their charter of demands was an end to multiple points of taxation, that they describe as ‘extortion money, for the vehicles carrying freight at the entry points of the city corporation areas and the municipalities. This demand has also apparently been met at the meeting.
The Minister said, "We think their demand is a logical one and that’s why we are recommending all the stakeholders including BGMEA, BKMEA, and FBCCI, who are receiving the services to logically increase the fare for transporting goods in discussion with the leaders of the association.
Read: Transport strike enters 3rd day, badly affects normal life
Today's discussion has been fruitful, he said, adding that the leaders (owners-workers) have agreed to withdraw the strike, he added.
Earlier on Friday, the association enforced the strike and kept freight transports suspended till today, demanding complete withdrawal of the Tk 15 increase in the price of diesel and kerosene.
Chuadanga condemned convicts executed following rules: Home Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said the executions of two Chuadanga death-row convicts in a murder case were carried out following the due rules.
The minister came up with the remark while responding to a query from a journalist at the secretariat over the reported executions of the two convicts before hearing their appeal.
“They were executed as per rules. No appeal had remained pending, and there was no violation of our system,” he said.
Read: Trying our best to execute jail killing case verdict: Home Minister
“So far, we know, no such incident occurred. There’s a procedure to carry out executions. A death-row convict can file a petition with the High Court against the verdict and if it rejects the appeal the convict can file a petition to the Appellate Division. If the petition is filed from jail then it’s a jail appeal. If the jail appeal is denied, then the convict may seek presidential clemency. If it’s rejected, then the convict is executed. All these steps were maintained one after another during the execution of the Chuadanga convicts,” said the minister.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq said the news of the execution of the two condemned convicts in Chuadanga before the appeal hearing in a murder case do not match the information he had received.
The minister made this remark while talking to reporters at his office at the secretariat on Thursday.
Read: Names of puja violence instigators to be disclosed soon: Home Minister
The law minister said those who had been executed were sentenced to death by a judicial court. Their death sentences were confirmed by the High Court and then the convicts filed jail appeals, he added.
Following the hearing on the jail appeal, the Appellate Division upheld the judgment of the High Court.
Their executions were carried out after their appeals for presidential clemency had been rejected, Anisul said.
All communal violence instigators, attackers identified: Minister
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Saturday said all those who instigated communal violence and carried out attacks in different parts of the country, including Cumilla, have been identified.
“The kinds of provocation leading to attacks on people and riots, and those who unleashed such incidents have been identified. They’ve been identified,” he said.
He was addressing an event marking the Community Policing Day 2021 at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital on Saturday.
Narrating the importance of community policing, he said, "We’ve been able to tackle the recent violence with the help of people. We’ve been able to unearth the mystery of the incident. That’s why our community needs to be more vigilant, to help the police,” he said.
Read: A series of rehabilitation steps taken for victims of communal violence
He also said it is not possible to provide security in each house to maintain law and order. “But if people remain vigilant, if they give information to the police at the right time, we can give them security,” the minister added.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed said although community policing is a new concept in Bangladesh, it is an old practice in many Asian countries.
"This practice is also quite common in Singapore. When racial violence broke out in the USA, they successfully introduced community policing,” the IGP said.
Read: Communal violence: Citizens demand exemplary punishment for perpetrators
“Cybercrimes have increased alarmingly. It is a big threat to the security of the country and people. We’ve to prepare for that,” he added.
Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, IGP Benazir Ahmed, eminent academic and writer Zafar Iqbal, and DMP Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam inaugurated the Community Policing Day 2021 by cutting a cake and releasing balloons.