Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government will identify and take strict action against terrorist hideouts, after criminals showed the audacity to challenge the state by attacking members of law enforcement agencies.He made the remarks while speaking to reporters at Chattogram Circuit House around 1:30pm on Sunday (May 31).Salahuddin said the rule of law must be established effectively and in line with public expectations.“Wherever terrorists have safe havens, they must be eliminated,” he said. “We want to see where the shelters are of those who showed the audacity to challenge state forces. We will eliminate even their last hideout.” The home minister said members of different state agencies, including police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, the armed forces and helicopter units, had taken part in recent coordinated operations.
He said around 4,000 members of joint forces were involved in the operation.
“All state forces will work for public safety and public interest. Our first objective is to establish peace in the area and bring the law and order situation under control,” he said.
Salahuddin said terrorists would be identified and brought under the law regardless of who sheltered them.
The minister said a high-level meeting discussed road communication development, construction of government establishments and long-term security plans for Jungle Salimpur, Alinagar and surrounding areas.
He said possible sites for a new prison had also been inspected. However, he assured that local residents would not be evicted, and those who needed rehabilitation would be given support.
Seeking cooperation from the media, the home minister said accurate information would help law enforcement agencies.
“Everyone must work together to ensure public safety and establish peace,” he said.
State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr Shahadat Hossain, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir, BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Prisons Brig Gen Syed Md Motaher Hossain, Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr Ziauddin, DIG Md Moniruzzaman, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali and Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Miah, among others, were present.