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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed announced that the army has been ordered to deploy in six districts, including Dhaka, to counter potential undesirable activities by the banned Awami League.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Monday (June 22), he stated that there has been no deterioration in the law and order situation. However, he noted that certain activities and operations of the banned Awami League have come under observation, which the government fears could disrupt the country’s stability.
The Home Minister said that Awami League activists have undertaken various programs, including processions and rallies, in different districts. Based on intelligence information, the government believes they might attempt to create unrest. For this reason, all law enforcement agencies have been instructed to remain vigilant.
He informed that army personnel would remain deployed until June 30 under ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ in Dhaka Metropolitan, Chittagong Metropolitan, Gazipur Metropolitan, Narayanganj, Gopalganj, and Faridpur districts.
Responding to a question on whether the army deployment was due to a lack of confidence in the police, the Minister said that was absolutely not the case. He added that the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh) and the army have previously been assigned duties under ‘In Aid to Civil Power’ as needed. He characterized it as a regular administrative arrangement.
He further stated that army personnel were withdrawn from across the country on June 15, after serving on the ground for nearly one and a half years. Their withdrawal occurred after the elected government assumed office. The current decision to deploy troops in specific areas has been taken in a completely different context.
The Home Minister also commented that certain quarters are active with the intention of creating instability in the country. He said that necessary precautionary measures have been taken after analyzing intelligence information. At the same time, he claimed that an analysis of crime statistics would show a significantly lower crime rate compared to the past.
When questioned about the detention of a Narayanganj Member of Parliament’s son for questioning, Salahuddin Ahmed stated that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. The police took him in for questioning due to various allegations against him. He was released after executing the necessary bond.
Regarding the rally of Jamaat and 11 other parties, he said that opposition political parties are carrying out their programs in accordance with their democratic rights. This contributes to the development of democracy. They will present their views to the public, and the government will similarly explain its position.
Meanwhile, regarding a meeting with leaders of the Hindu community, the Home Minister stated that leaders of the Puja Celebration Council met with him to present various demands. Cooperation with the government was urged to maintain communal harmony.