United News of Bangladesh

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday said a quick and sustainable political solution to the Rohingya crisis requires strong cooperation from the international community and international organisations. He urged the UN and the international community to keep the Rohingya crisis on the global agenda and ensure that it is not overshadowed by other global conflicts or crises. “Through joint efforts and effective diplomacy by the international community, we must ensure the rapid and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland in Myanmar,” the minister said while addressing a round-table discussion titled “The Rohingya Crisis: Emerging Challenges & Reframing Response Strategies.” The Institute for Global Cooperation Foundation (IGCF) organised the programme at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). Salahuddin said a permanent and sustainable solution to the crisis is possible with the direct support of leading countries in global politics and the UN. He urged international human rights organisations, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and all other relevant stakeholders to play a more effective role in resolving the Rohingya crisis. “Our main goal is one – to ensure that the nearly 1.5 million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs) currently taking shelter here can be sent back to their own country with full dignity and security,” the minister said. “For this, continued support from the international community and the political role of leading countries are extremely important,” he said. Highlighting the long-term impact of the crisis, Salahuddin said Bangladesh has been providing shelter, food, land, healthcare and basic security for livelihood to more than 1.5 million displaced Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds for over nine years. “But over time, criminal activities, arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, gender-based violence and activities of armed groups have increased in the camps, creating serious challenges to Bangladesh’s internal security,” he said. Noting that the lives and environment of local communities living near the camps have also come under serious threat, the minister said necessary security measures such as fencing around the camps and a well-regulated movement system have become essential to control crime and ensure the overall security of both the Rohingya population and local citizens. “The present government, under the capable and far-sighted leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is determined to implement a 100 percent successful repatriation,” he said. A “National Strategy Formulation Committee on Rohingya Affairs” has already been formed under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, Salahuddin said, adding that another high-level national committee, headed by himself, is active in maintaining law and order, border management and overall coordination. “The government is working with a comprehensive whole-of-government approach involving the civil administration, security and defence agencies,” he said. The minister warned that humanitarian assistance provided indefinitely without a specific and credible repatriation plan could reduce the pressure for a political solution in the long run. “Therefore, going beyond emergency relief assistance, we need to move quickly towards a ‘transitional strategy’, whose main objective will be to create a safe and suitable environment in Myanmar’s Rakhine State for the Rohingyas to return,” he said. Salahuddin expressed hope that through a combination of sustainable international engagement, national unity and a strong security framework, Bangladesh will soon be able to ensure the dignified and permanent repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. Prime Minister’s Adviser on Public Administration Md Ismail Zabihullah delivered a speech as the guest of honour, while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam attended the programme as a special guest.    

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Tuesday said the government is taking initiatives to strengthen technology-based surveillance along the border to combat drug and arms smuggling, human trafficking and illegal trespass. “We are preparing digitally to tackle illegal entry, drug and arms smuggling, and human trafficking. Skilled and trained personnel will be developed for this purpose,” he said. The minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the “Border School of Surveillance and Drone Warfare” at the Sylhet Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Sector Headquarters. After the inauguration, he inspected the activities of the training centre and witnessed a practical demonstration of drone technology. Salahuddin said the BGB is being modernised to curb criminal activities along the border, which he said will help reduce smuggling and other crimes. He said the Narcotics Control Act is also being strengthened to prevent the spread of drugs. The minister said thermal and night-vision drones will be deployed in remote border areas where surveillance by manpower is difficult. “These drones will help detect movements on the other side of the border and enable authorities to take prompt action,” he said. Salahuddin said initiatives are also being taken to manufacture and assemble drones in Bangladesh, which could eventually contribute to the country's defence industry. He said drone technology could play an important role not only in border security but also in relief distribution and rescue operations during disasters. Referring to the advanced drones displayed at the training centre, the minister said sophisticated drone technologies from developed countries will gradually be incorporated into Bangladesh's capabilities. “We have plans to achieve more advanced capabilities within the next one to two years,” he said. On the issue of mob culture, he said the government remains vigilant against the trend and has already managed to bring it under control to a significant extent. During his daylong visit, Salahuddin is scheduled to hold a meeting with senior officials of the district administration and law enforcement agencies at Sylhet Circuit House in the afternoon. He is also scheduled to attend a discussion organised by the BNP at the District Shilpakala Academy marking the party's founding anniversary. Earlier, the minister arrived at Osmani International Airport around 11:20am. It was his first visit to Sylhet since assuming office as home minister.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday told Parliament that an improvement in the country’s law-and-order situation is now visible, with law enforcement agencies arresting alleged perpetrators and bringing them to justice within a short time after crimes are committed. “The improvement in the law-and-order situation is visible in Bangladesh. Since the present government took charge, whenever a crime has occurred, the perpetrators have been arrested and brought under the law within 24 to 48 hours or even less time,” he said. The minister made the remarks, while replying to a supplementary question from National Citizen Party (NCP) lawmaker Md Abul Hasnat (Cumilla-4) in the House. Responding to the lawmaker’s concerns over the law-and-order situation, he said police and other law enforcement agencies have made prompt arrests in several cases, including those that drew significant public attention. “From the Ramisa case to the four recent murders in Rangpur, the police and other law enforcement agencies have been able to arrest the suspects within the shortest possible time and bring them under the law,” Salahuddin said. He rejected broad allegations of failure by the Ministry of Home Affairs or law enforcement agencies, saying such claims should be backed by specific incidents and verifiable information. “If you can point to any specific incident where the ministry or the law enforcement agencies have failed, we can give a detailed response to that particular incident,” the minister said. He also questioned the basis of crime statistics cited by the lawmaker, saying figures presented in Parliament should be accompanied by their sources and methodology. Salahuddin recalled that the government previously placed detailed crime statistics before Parliament, including through statements under Rule 300, covering different categories of criminal activities. Responding to another supplementary question about the number of firearms and the recovery of weapons looted from different places, he said a committee comprising representatives of all relevant forces has been formed to recover the weapons. The minister said law enforcement agencies are regularly recovering looted firearms and matching their serial numbers to identify them. “We are continuously recovering weapons, including some of the looted firearms. We match their numbers and inform the media when such weapons are recovered,” he said. Salahuddin expressed hope that all looted weapons, including those taken from prisons and other locations, will eventually be recovered. Regarding allegations of political or partisan considerations in police recruitment during the previous government, he said an investigation into the matter is nearing completion. The minister said investigators have found irregularities involving the recruitment of thousands of police constables and personnel of other ranks in several districts. In some cases, he said, applicants allegedly changed their addresses to become eligible for recruitment in particular districts, including by purchasing small plots of land and using those addresses as their permanent or village addresses. Salahuddin said several districts, including Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Kishoreganj, have been identified where such irregularities were allegedly committed. “We have reached an advanced stage in the investigation. Once it is finalised, we will make the findings public before the nation,” he said. Replying to another question from Joynal Abedin, MP, the minister said the country’s law-and-order situation has witnessed a visible and expected improvement compared to the corresponding period of last year. “Even if I do not call it a revolutionary improvement, I would say there has been a visible and expected improvement,” he said. Salahuddin made the remarks while presenting a comparative picture of the law-and-order situation between January-August 2025 and the same period in 2026. According to the comparative figures, a total of 2,607 murders were recorded from January to August in 2025, while the number stood at 2,332 during the same period in 2026. The number of incidents of violence against women and children also declined, from 11,269 in January-August 2025 to 9,347 during the same period this year. Similarly, the number of rape cases fell from 4,666 in the first eight months of 2025 to 4,472 in the corresponding period of 2026. The minister said incidents of mob violence also declined significantly. There were 89 such incidents from January to August 2025, compared to 56 during the same period this year.“We have been able to bring it down to 56. Inshallah, we will bring it down to zero,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday ordered law enforcement agencies to immediately arrest identified terrorists, extortionists, and drug dealers across Bangladesh, warning of strict action under a "zero-tolerance" policy for any failure. The minister issued the warning while briefing reporters after visiting Dr Md Asaduzzaman Rahman, a physician injured in an alleged attack by an extortion gang outside Popular Hospital in the capital's Shantinagar, at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. “There is no time limit. If law enforcement agencies cannot quickly take identified extortionists, criminals and drug dealers into custody and bring them under the law, strict action will be taken against those responsible for the failure,” he said. Referring to the attack on Dr Rahman on Aug 17, the minister said police and the Detective Branch arrested four of the seven alleged gang members, including the alleged mastermind, within 48 hours. The suspects were arrested from the scene, Lakshmipur, Dania in Jatrabari and Shyampur, he said, praising police and DB officials for swiftly identifying and arresting the suspects. According to the minister, preliminary interrogation suggests that the alleged gang leader returned to Bangladesh after suffering losses in hundi transactions abroad and subsequently formed the criminal group. The gang allegedly targeted major hospitals, prominent doctors, engineers and wealthy professionals, threatening them through messages before physically attacking them to demand large sums of money, he said. “Such activities by extortionists will not be tolerated. The operation will continue until extortion is completely eliminated,” Salahuddin said. He also said authorities were preparing lists not only of extortionists but also of police personnel allegedly involved in or assisting extortion activities. “Regardless of how influential the criminals or their patrons are, they will be brought to justice,” he said. On the security of doctors and healthcare facilities, the minister said 10 Ansar members would be deployed at each of 500 hospitals across the country. He advised doctors who feel particularly vulnerable at their private chambers or clinics to inform police. Responding to a question, Salahuddin said any citizen could apply for a licence for a shotgun or pistol if they meet the requirements under existing laws. Applications from doctors seeking firearms for personal security would be considered under government rules, he said. Social Welfare Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, DMP Commissioner Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Additional Commissioner (DB chief) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam and Dhaka Medical College Hospital Director Brig Gen Mohammad Asaduzzaman were among those present. The home minister later visited Anwar Khan Modern Hospital in Dhanmondi to see Dr AKM Aminul Haque, who was also allegedly threatened by the same extortion gang.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday described a recent UN Security Council report on Al-Qaeda’s attempt to establish cells in Bangladesh as assumption-driven, saying the government is not taking any action based on the report. “I have heard about it, but I have not read it,” he told reporters after a meeting of a committee reviewing the report of the Bangladesh Judicial Service Pay Commission, 2025 at the Finance Ministry in Secretariat. “As far as I have heard from newspaper reports, they have made an assumption that something like this could happen. We are not taking any steps based on an assumption-based report,” he said.  The UN Security Council report recently expressed concern over attempt by Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) to “exploit Bangladesh” to establish cells. Asked about the report, Salahuddin said he could not comment without reading it. “There may be some observations in the report. I cannot say anything without seeing it,” he said. Asked about speculation that he could be given responsibility for another ministry, Salahuddin said “I have heard the rumour,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the current government is putting importance on exploration of domestic gas resources, extraction of marine resources to develop the blue economy, expansion of green energy and diversification of energy sources for sustainable economic development. “Unless we extract the resources of the deep sea and harness the potential of the blue economy…..we will lag behind. Why not start it from today? That is why we have made plans,” he said. The home minister made the remark, while addressing a programme marking the 27th founding anniversary of Chattogram Journalist Forum Dhaka (CJFD) at the All Community Club in Gulshan on Friday night. Focusing on Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar based enormous potentials for the country’s economy, he said: "There is only one Matarbari, one Sonadia and one Cox’s Bazar that houses the country’s single marine drive road and the world's longest sandy beach. Still, it remains largely virgin. We have to develop it. Everything is there.” He said Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram should not be known only for tourism destinations but also for economic hubs. “It is not enough to know Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram as tourist destinations, rather we have to complete the process by turning them into economic hubs. We have to flourish and explore their potential,” the minister said. Noting that Bangladesh has yet to properly utilise its marine resources, he stressed the need for initiating a process now to extract marine resources in future. “How many marine resources do we extract? How much seaweed do we extract from the sea? Nothing (we extract). We could not extract the gas beneath the sea either. We have not been able to harness the other potential of the blue economy, including mineral resources,” Salahuddin said. He said the government has also decided to give greater attention to both offshore and onshore gas exploration. “We have focused on our own gas exploration, both offshore and onshore, and decisions have been taken in this regard. But it will take time,” he said. Salahuddin said even if exploration begins today, it could take at least seven to eight years to start commercial extraction and bring the gas into the national grid. “But if we do not start today, we will remain dependent on the same sources even after seven years,” he said. About green energy, he said the government has also set a target of generating between 5,000 and 10,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable energy by 2030. “We will gradually move towards green energy and renewable energy. For that, we have set a target of generating 5,000 to 10,000 megawatts from the renewable energy sector by 2030,” he said, adding that the government has relaxed its policies to attract foreign investment in this sector. The Minister also stressed the need to diversify Bangladesh's sources of gas and energy imports to reduce dependence on a single source. Citing that during the Awami League period, Bangladesh had become dependent on the single sources for gas, he said, “We became dependent on the Middle East and the Gulf,” he added. As the Ukraine war and the Iran-Israel war created crises, now Bangladesh still sometimes has to buy gas from the spot market at two or three times the price, he went on. “So, we’ve decided that there will be no single sourcing. We’re now trying to source gas from Malaysia, Indonesia and various other countries. Discussions are underway with them,” said the Minister. He said the government is preparing a long-term master plan to meet the country's growing energy and power demand in line with economic growth, industrialisation and increasing use by consumers. He said Bangladesh currently generates around 15,000 megawatts of electricity, while peak-hour demand reaches around 17,000 megawatts, leaving a shortage of around 2,000 megawatts, particularly after the evening. “We are meeting this shortage now, but gradually we have to take our generation capacity to 30,000 megawatts,” he said. The minister also said the government has a plan to build an expressway railway from Chattogram to Dhaka. “If this is implemented, it will be possible to travel from Chattogram to Dhaka in just two hours,” he said. The 27th founding anniversary of CJFD was celebrated in a festive atmosphere with the participation of its members. The programme included a discussion, cultural event, cake cutting and dinner. State Minister for Land Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin joined the programme virtually as a special guest. Besides, Prime Minister's Speech Writer SAM Mahfuzur Rahman and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, among others, spoke on the occasion. CJFD President Shamim Jahangir delivered the welcome address, while its General Secretary Touhidur Rahman conducted the event.

New Delhi’s desire for friendly relations is at odds with allowing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to make anti-Bangladesh statements or engage in political activities from Indian soil, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Saturday. “On the one hand, India wants friendly relations with Bangladesh while on the other, it allows a convict and fugitive accused, Sheikh Hasina, to make anti-Bangladesh statements or engage in political activities from Indian soil. These two positions are completely contradictory,” he said at a discussion as the chief guest at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building auditorium of Dhaka University. The minister expressed hope that the Indian government would understand the matter and stop playing the “Hasina card.” The discussion titled “The Role of University Teachers in the Fall of the Fascist Government” was organised jointly by Dhaka University’s Sada Dal Panel and the University Teachers’ Association of Bangladesh (UTAB) to mark the second anniversary of the July Mass Uprising of 2024. Calling for the preservation of the spirit of the July uprising and “iron-clad national unity,” the home minister said Bangladesh must complete democratic reforms through democratic practices and tolerance while preventing any resurgence of “fascism”. He said the victory achieved through 17 years of democratic struggle and the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of people could not be used as a tool by any particular group to monopolise the spirit of the movement. Salahuddin said the interim government formed on Aug 8, 2024, under Article 106 of the Constitution was the result of the aspirations of the country’s pro-democracy people. He said Sheikh Hasina’s fall came through the mass uprising against 17 years of repression, enforced disappearances, killings and deprivation of voting rights. “The politics of the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina has died in Dhaka and been buried in Delhi, ” he said adding people could no longer be misled through “politics of selling the spirit”.  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said Awami League lacks the capability to carry out sabotage surrounding August 5, which is being observed as the July Mass Uprising Day. "I don't think Awami League has the capacity to do such things. It is a banned organisation and a mafia force. Occasionally they make attempts to attract attention from abroad, but beyond that I do not see any significant activity," he said in response to a question from reporters at the Secretariat. When asked whether intelligence reports have prompted authorities to instruct the police to remain on high alert, Salahuddin Ahmed said the directives were part of routine security procedures rather than a response to any specific threat. "This is standard practice within the police force. Officers are instructed not to leave unattended vehicles, not to have all team members leave their posts at the same time, and to ensure that at least one officer remains with official vehicles. These are regular precautionary measures and should not be interpreted otherwise," said the minister. Responding to a question on the election of a new President, the minister said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission. Asked about the government's programmes marking August 5, Salahuddin Ahmed said a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday under his party's leadership, bringing together allies of the joint movement and representatives of other political parties at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh. He added that the Prime Minister is expected to attend the event,where the government's plans for observing the day will be outlined.  

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed, who was recently granted conditional bail in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), may hold passports from multiple countries, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday. “We have instructed our law firm to file a petition seeking cancellation of his bail because we suspect he may have passports from other countries as well,” he told reporters at the Secretariat. Salahuddin said the government has already contacted the law firm representing Bangladesh in the UAE, while the Home Secretary has also discussed the matter with the UAE Ambassador. “We are yet to know the details of the bail conditions. We are trying to obtain a certified copy of the bail order,” he said. The minister said the government has also requested its legal representatives to submit Bangladesh's extradition-related documents to the UAE court and seek cancellation of Benazir's bail. Asked why Benazir was granted bail despite Bangladesh's efforts to bring him back, Salahuddin said he would not comment on the court's decision without knowing the details of the order. On the recovery of bomb-like objects at Kamalapur and Ashulia, the home minister said people have no reason to be overly concerned. “A vested quarter attempted to disrupt communal harmony. However, our law enforcement agencies with the support of the Bomb Disposal Unit handled the situation successfully,” he said. He added that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and investigating to identify those responsible.

The government has appointed a law firm in Dubai to challenge the conditional bail granted to former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed by a Dubai court, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Sunday. "We are trying to obtain a certified copy of the bail order. The Bangladesh government has appointed a law firm in Dubai to challenge the bail order," he added. The minister made the remarks while talking to reporters after a view-exchange meeting with officials and members of Rajshahi Range Police and Rajshahi Metropolitan Police at Rajshahi Police Lines in the afternoon. "We have heard that Benazir Ahmed has been granted conditional bail by a Dubai court. We have spoken to Bangladesh's Ambassador in Dubai regarding the matter," he said. Salahuddin expressed hope that Benazir Ahmed could be brought back to Bangladesh soon through the legal process. Senior police officials including the deputy inspector general of Rajshahi Range and the commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police were present at the meeting. Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Benazir Ahmed was arrested in Dubai by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) police in connection with a case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Bangladesh. On June 14, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the development in Parliament. He said the UAE authorities informed the Bangladesh government of the arrest on June 12. In April 2025, Interpol issued a red notice against the former police chief.