Law, order situation worsens in country, admits commerce minister

Commerce and Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has acknowledged that the law and order situation in the country deteriorated, saying recent incidents cannot be ignored.

"There is no room to disagree that the law and order situation has worsened recently. We have to accept the incidents taking place before our eyes," he told journalists while responding to a question after distributing prime minister's Eid grants among workers of the conservancy department of Sylhet City Corporation this afternoon (24 May).

The minister said law enforcement agencies, including police and the Rapid Action Battalion, would take coordinated action over recent crimes. "You will see visible measures very soon."

Muktadir also said facial recognition cameras would be installed in Sylhet city to help identify criminals and strengthen surveillance.

Responding to another question on delays in the justice process, he said the government remains committed to arresting offenders, but ensuring punishment requires following judicial procedures, which take time.

The minister, however, said those involved in recent crimes, including rape incidents, would face exemplary punishment through due legal process and no leniency would be shown.

Earlier, the minister distributed nearly Tk58 lakh in Eid grants among 1,158 waste workers of the city corporation at the Nagar Bhaban.

Addressing the event as the chief guest, he described sanitation workers as the "lifeline" of the city corporation and said their contributions help keep Sylhet city habitable.

The programme was chaired by Sylhet City Corporation administrator Abdul Quiyum Choudhury and attended by local government and city corporation officials.