Isolated cocktail explosions do not indicate deteriorating law and order: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that isolated incidents of one or two cocktail explosions at night or symbolic acts of disorder in deserted places cannot be considered evidence of a deterioration in the country's overall law and order situation.

He claimed that the country's law and order situation was fully under control and reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring an industry-friendly and investment-friendly environment under all circumstances.

The minister made the remarks on Tuesday (November 10) while responding to comments by the opposition leader during a point of order in Parliament. Deputy Speaker Kaiser Kamal presided over the session.

Salahuddin Ahmed alleged that some associates of the ousted fascist forces were attempting to create instability from within the country and through support from across the border.

However, he said the government and law enforcement agencies had successfully thwarted these attempts through patience and professional handling of the situation.

Addressing alleged attempts to create unrest in the country's major export sector, the readymade garment industry, the home minister said industrial police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and regular police were working in close coordination across garment hubs in Gazipur, Savar, Ashulia, Hemayetpur, Narayanganj and Mymensingh.

He said law enforcement personnel had exercised maximum restraint despite provocations to ensure that production and exports were not disrupted.

Regular meetings with labour organisations and factory owners had also helped restore stability in these industrial areas, he added.

The minister also challenged a newspaper report claiming that the country's law and order situation had deteriorated, describing it as motivated.

Referring to data available on the police website, he said a proper analysis would show that crime rates had declined significantly compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

He alleged that presenting partial information without making neutral and comparative assessments of previous years could create confusion among the public.

Regarding the recent cocktail explosions at the Business Faculty of Dhaka University at night, the minister said two suspects had already been arrested red-handed.

He warned that no one involved in throwing cocktails or attempting to create disorder anywhere in the country would be spared.

Salahuddin Ahmed further claimed that the government possessed evidence regarding alleged joint conspiracies involving individuals inside the country and across the border.

He said the evidence could be made public at an appropriate time if necessary.

The minister reiterated that the government was fully prepared to maintain stability and ensure law and order across the country.

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