COX'S BAZAR, Mar 9: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday announced that the government will launch a nationwide anti-terrorism operation immediately after Ramadan.
The minister made the remarks after attending a district law and order committee meeting in his home district of Cox's Bazar, his first since assuming office.
"No terrorist, extortionist, or organized criminal will remain outside the law.
Our aim is to ensure good governance and maintain law and order so that people feel safe and at ease," Salahuddin said.
The Home Minister emphasized the government's strict stance against drugs and online gambling, noting that a professional list of drug traders is being prepared, which will not be made public to prevent political influence and errors.
He also said that two suspects in the Hadi murder case, currently in India, will be brought back to Bangladesh under the existing extradition treaty.
"The Home Ministry has already taken steps for their arrest, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been requested to facilitate their return," he added.
Salahuddin highlighted measures to restore discipline in Cox's Bazar's tourism sector. Illegal permanent and temporary structures on sand dunes will be removed within a week, tourist areas will be cleaned, and CCTV cameras will be installed at key locations to improve security.
The minister assured that incidents of mob violence will not be tolerated and that all criminals, including terrorists and extortionists, will be brought under the law.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday that Bangladesh has sought consular access following the arrest of the prime accused and an associate in the killing of Osman Hadi by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police in India.
Speaking at a media briefing, she said further steps would be taken through due process once Bangladesh receives feedback from the Indian authorities. "We came to know they have been placed on a 14-day remand. Our Deputy High Commission in Kolkata is in contact with the authorities, and we have sought consular access," she said.
The minister added that Bangladesh is still gathering detailed information about the arrests. "The information we have so far is not sufficient. We will proceed once we receive adequate details," she noted.
