Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government is maintaining a zero tolerance policy against terrorism, drugs, extortion and all forms of criminal activities to ensure public safety and law and order ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
“The government will continue its zero tolerance stance against terrorism, drugs and extortion. After years of disorder and criminalization, we are determined to restore discipline and the rule of law in the country,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while speaking to journalists after visiting the National Operation Monitoring Center at Bangladesh Police Headquarters in Dhaka.
He said law enforcement agencies remain fully prepared and alert to maintain peace and stability across the country during the Eid holidays.
During the visit, the minister inspected monitoring activities and provided directives to on-duty police officials.
He said the Central Monitoring Cell, which operates throughout the year, has been strengthened from seven days before Eid until seven days after Eid to ensure uninterrupted surveillance and quick response.
According to the minister, all major highways, cattle markets, the Jamuna Bridge, the Padma Bridge and expressways are now under round-the-clock monitoring.
He said police personnel in areas without CCTV coverage are being equipped with body-worn cameras to improve surveillance and accountability.
Referring to recent road accidents, the minister said the number of accidents this year is lower compared to previous years. However, he blamed carelessness and risky travel practices for the incidents that occurred.
He urged people to remain careful and responsible while travelling during Eid.
On illegal cattle markets, the minister said the government is taking strict measures to stop unauthorized markets from operating.
He mentioned that an illegal cattle market under the metro rail line in Mirpur was shut down immediately.
The minister also said counterfeit currency detection machines have been installed at cattle markets with support from Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks and police to prevent fake notes.
Commenting on recent attacks on police and RAB members in Narayanganj and Jangal Salimpur in Chattogram, he warned that the government would take firm action against terrorists and criminal groups.
He said a coordinated operation in Jangal Salimpur led to the arrest of several notorious criminals and the recovery of a large number of weapons.
The minister also announced plans to establish a security and administrative hub in the area, including a police academy, RAB academy, police sports complex and prison facilities.
Replying to questions about traffic congestion at the Jamuna Bridge toll plaza, he said the problem is mainly caused by the manual toll collection system. He added that the government would recommend digital automation and card-based toll payments to improve traffic flow.
Regarding allegations involving drug trafficking operations and attacks on journalists in Savar, the minister said three police members had already been closed over the incident.
He assured that strict legal action would be taken against those involved based on information provided by journalists.
Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and other senior police officials were present.
