The government has cautioned against arbitrary arrests after cases are filed, making assurances that appropriate steps will be taken after proper verification.
In a notice issued on Tuesday, the Home Ministry said, in the aftermath of the student-mass uprising, when the Awami League government was overthrown on August 5, an interim government has been formed. The previous regime's brutal crackdown on the uprising led to significant loss of life and numerous injuries. For years, the Awami League government had been widely criticized for human rights abuses, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and other forms of oppression, fuelling deep-seated public anger.
The interim government, committed to addressing these past atrocities, has pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice, the Home Ministry notice says. The government has also invited the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation, emphasizing a transparent and fair judicial process.
However, the Home Ministry has expressed concern over the recent rise in vigilante actions and unlawful activities by certain groups. These groups have been engaging in actions such as illegal blockades, forced resignations, vandalism, arson, unauthorized searches, looting, extortion, and pressuring police to indiscriminately file charges. There have also been instances of attacks on accused individuals in court, all of which threaten to destabilize the nation.
In response, the government has assured the public that legal proceedings will be conducted judiciously, and arrests will not be made indiscriminately. All cases will undergo thorough investigation before any legal action is taken.
"It is concerning to observe that at a time when the government has committed to transparent justice and called upon the United Nations for a truthful investigation and initiating judicial processes, certain overzealous and self-interested groups are taking the law into their own hands."
"They are pressuring police to file cases indiscriminately, surrounding institutions under the guise of protests, forcibly demanding resignations, engaging in vandalism, arson, illegal searches, looting, extortion, manipulation of tenders, and creating instability by attacking defendants in court," the notice outlined.
The statement attempted to give reassurances, stating: "The filing of a case does not automatically lead to arbitrary arrests. All such cases will be properly scrutinised and appropriate measures will be taken."
The Home Ministry said any complaints against individuals should be reported to senior officers and the department. "Under no circumstances should any institution be surrounded or subjected to violent behaviour. The government will adhere to established laws in conducting searches and filing cases, and measures will be taken to prevent any harassment," the notice stated.
It added that on Aug 5, following a mass uprising led by the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, an authoritarian government was overthrown and an interim government took charge.
The Home Ministry stated that the fallen government had used brutal force to suppress the uprising, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries.
The prolonged misrule had led to many abductions, disappearances and extrajudicial killings, resulting in profound public resentment against the outgoing government, it said. The interim government is committed to adjudicating these crimes, it said.
The government sought cooperation from everyone in maintaining law and order, the statement said.
"Appropriate legal actions will be taken against activities that disrupt public security. The government will identify all offenders and soon launch operations against them, taking legal measures irrespective of their party or beliefs."
