Govt to curb banned AL’s menace: Home Minister

 
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has decided to deploy the army in six areas of the country due to the ‘increasing menace’ of the banned Awami League.

He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad at the Home Ministry on Monday.

Earlier in the day, the Home Ministry wrote to the Principal Staff Officer of Armed Forces Division requesting army deployment in six districts and metropolitan areas ahead of June 23, the founding a nniversary of the Awami League.

Speaking with reporters Salahuddin Ahmed said intelligence reports indicated that the banned Awami League's activities had increased in some places, leading to the decision.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has noticed activities by what he described as the mafia group of the banned Awami League, including processions and meetings in different districts.

We believe they may try to create unrest. Therefore, all security forces have been instructed to remain alert, he said. He said the initiative to build a Ram temple in Palashbari of Gaibandha and allegations against Advocate Chaitali Chakraborty over remarks considered harmful to the country's sovereignty were also discussed.

An eight-member delegation of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, led by President Basudeb Dhar and General Secretary Santosh Sharma, met the home minister.

Bijan Kanti Sarkar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and Ethnic Affairs, was also present.