Salahuddin vows tough action against AL  

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has warned against attempts to revive the banned Awami League (AL), vowing tough action against those allegedly fuelling political and labour unrest.

“The government will not allow those involved in creating instability to operate freely,” Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Wednesday, warning against attempts to revive the AL’s political activities.

Citing declines in murder and mob violence, he defended the government’s law-and-order record while facing questions over security, workers’ protests and political stability.

Presenting comparative crime statistics, he said the number of murder cases fell from 2,938 in February-October 2025 to 2,651 during the same period in 2026, a decline of 287.

Mob-related incidents also dropped from 55 to 16, he said, adding that the government would take decisive measures to prevent further incidents of mob violence.

The minister made the remarks while delivering a statement under Rule 300 during the third day of the fourth session of the 13th National Parliament.

He said the figures were available on the Bangladesh Police website and urged lawmakers to compare data from the same periods before assessing changes in the law-and-order situation.

According to the minister, incidents of theft, robbery and dacoity had also declined. Violence against women and children fell by 125 cases compared with the same period last year, he added.

Salahuddin said the government was committed to maintaining law and order while respecting human rights. He acknowledged that law enforcement officials had lost their lives in different places, including Chattogram, and said the forces had been instructed to act in accordance with the law.

On unrest in the ready-made garment sector, the minister said the government had taken measures from the beginning to address workers’ grievances.

He said a wage board had been formed ahead of schedule after consultations with workers, employers and other stakeholders. The board had held several meetings, and a minimum wage would be announced based on consensus among the parties.

Both workers and employers had expressed satisfaction with the initiative and returned to work, he said.