Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday warned of stringent action against those involved in recent attacks on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) personnel in Chattogram’s Jungle Salimpur area, reaffirming the government’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, extortion and organised crime.
“Criminal activities will be dealt with firmly and the public will soon see the results of effective government action,” he said while briefing reporters after visiting the National Operation Monitoring Centre at Police Headquarters in Dhaka.
The minister said attempts by criminal groups to create ‘a state within a state’ has been thwarted through joint security operations and that law enforcement agencies would continue their efforts to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law.
He said a large cache of illegal firearms have been recovered and a number of wanted criminals arrested during operations in the area.
The government is also planning to establish a security and administrative hub in Jungle Salimpur including a police academy, a RAB training academy, a police sports complex and a prison, he added.
During the visit, the minister observed ongoing monitoring activities and issued directives to police officials on duty.
Salahuddin said the government would continue its crackdown on terrorism, narcotics, extortion and other criminal activities as part of its commitment to maintaining law and order.
Law enforcement agencies remain fully prepared to restore peace and discipline across the country, he said.
The minister said the Central Monitoring Cell at Police Headquarters which operates year-round has been reinforced for the Eid-ul-Azha period, from seven days before the festival until seven days after.
Additional personnel have been deployed to monitor highways, cattle markets and key infrastructures, including the Jamuna and Padma bridges and major expressways nationwide, he said.
He also noted that police officers are using body-worn cameras in areas lacking CCTV coverage to ensure uninterrupted surveillance along highways.
On road safety, Salahuddin said traffic accidents have declined compared with previous years.
Referring to a recent fatal accident involving a truck carrying iron rods, he said the tragedy highlighted the dangers of unsafe travel practices and urged people to exercise greater caution while travelling.
The minister also said authorities are taking strict measures against unauthorised cattle markets.
An illegal cattle market set up beneath the Metro Rail line in Mirpur was recently shut down immediately after being detected, he added.
To prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency at cattle markets, sufficient fake-note detection machines have been installed in coordination with Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks and law enforcement agencies, he said.
Responding to a question about long queues at the Jamuna Bridge toll plaza, the minister attributed the delays to manual toll collection and suggested introducing automated digital payment systems, including card-based toll payments, along with incentives to encourage their use.