Govt 'not at all alarmed' by Awami League’s subversive activities: Home minister

Highlights

• Home minister says arrests made over blasts
• CCTV footage being examined to identify arsonists
• He says lockdown programme made no impact
• Opposition allowed to hold peaceful programmes
• Next election to follow democratic process

The government is "not at all alarmed" by a series of cocktail blasts, bus arson and other alleged subversive activities linked to the Awami League, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (20 September).

Speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat, Salahuddin said several people had already been arrested over the incidents, while law enforcement agencies were examining CCTV footage to identify others involved.

"There is no need to repeat the things I addressed earlier. We have heard that the fallen fascist force, mafia force, the banned political party Awami League, based on a verdict of the ICT court, announced a so-called programme. I think it is today. They named it lockdown or something similar," he said.

The minister said cocktails had been detonated at several locations in Dhaka at night as part of the programme. Those allegedly involved in some of the incidents had been arrested along with their motorcycles, he said.

"Those who threw cocktails in front of the High Court gate have also been arrested; arrests have been made in the Jatrabari incident as well," he said.

He also said several buses, including vehicles that had been abandoned or parked at different locations, were set on fire at night.

"We are trying to find these out. By examining CCTV footage and identifying them, action will definitely be taken. This subversion of theirs was visible beforehand. We are not paying much attention to these," Salahuddin said.

'No visible impact' of lockdown

Asked about ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's reported declaration that she would return in December and whether the law and order situation could deteriorate in the coming months, the home minister said the Awami League's announced "lockdown" had failed to make any visible impact.

"We have heard the word lockdown, but has any lockdown been visible here? The nation rejects these," he said.

Salahuddin said the recent incidents were part of activities the Awami League had allegedly been carrying out for nearly two years, and rejected the idea that the incidents were linked to wider instability.

"There is no connection with instability," he said.

On whether the Awami League was taking advantage of opposition parties' long marches, the minister said the government pays attention when opposition parties criticise it.

He defended the opposition's right to hold peaceful political programmes, saying it was part of democratic practice.

"The opposition has some demands, and they held the long march over those demands. They can do so. This is democratic culture, and they will carry out their programmes. Our responsibility is to help them hold their programmes peacefully. We have done that," he said.

Salahuddin said a long march in Chattogram had taken place without violence or clashes, while another march from Dhaka towards the northern region was also held peacefully on Saturday.

"They have expressed their views. They may have different demands, but if people support those demands, people will speak for them," he said.

Asked whether the Awami League's activities were connected to opposition programmes, the minister said, "Whether they have any connection with the opposition's programme, you should find that out yourselves. I do not want to comment on this."

Minister dismisses return concerns

Asked about claims regarding Sheikh Hasina's possible return, Salahuddin said the government was not focused on whether she returned in December or February.

He said the Awami League had neither apologised to the nation nor admitted its alleged wrongdoing.

"This nation will never accept them politically in this country," he added.

On the number of people killed during the previous Awami League government, Salahuddin said the United Nations had put the figure at 1,400, while a government report had put it at more than 2,000.

"That Awami force which took the lives of 1,400 people, carried out a massacre, committed genocide – that fascist Awami League, which is now banned, has still not asked the nation for forgiveness, has not admitted guilt, and sitting abroad they are making noise; we are not at all alarmed by all these subversive activities of theirs," he said.

Election to follow democratic process

On the next general election, Salahuddin said it would be held after five years in line with the rules and through a democratic process.

He said voters' opinions would ultimately determine which political forces they support.

"I have no comment on this matter now," he said.

Responding to opposition demands over fuel, gas and electricity shortages, the minister said the issues had already been discussed extensively in parliament.