No formal decision yet on fresh joint operation: Home minister
Existing coordinated operations involving police, Special Response Battalion (SRB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar will, however, be intensified, the minister said.
The government has not taken any formal decision to launch a fresh joint operation against extortionists, terrorists, drug dealers and armed criminals, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said today (1 October).
Existing coordinated operations involving police, Special Response Battalion (SRB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Ansar will, however, be intensified, the minister said.
"The government has not taken any formal decision on a joint operation. The coordinated activities of the police, BGB, SRB and Ansar are being carried out regularly," Salahuddin said at a press briefing after unveiling a plaque for the construction of the new headquarters of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
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"These forces are working together to curb terrorism, extortion and drug-related activities, and these coordinated operations will be strengthened further in the future," he added.
Operations against identified criminals to intensify
Law enforcement agencies have lists of extortionists, terrorists, armed criminals and drug dealers, according to the minister. The lists are regularly updated, and ongoing operations against those identified will be intensified.
Regarding allegations of negligence or criminal activities by members of law enforcement agencies, Salahuddin said they would face departmental and legal action if evidence is found.
He said such cases are not being dealt with merely by withdrawing the personnel concerned. Departmental action is being taken where appropriate, while criminal cases are being filed when the allegations constitute offences.
On the law and order situation ahead of December, the minister said no force would be allowed to create instability in the country during the month.
"December is our month of victory. No evil force will be able to create any kind of instability in the country during this month," he said.
The remarks came amid allegations of extortion, land grabbing and terrorism in different parts of the country.
Police Headquarters said yesterday (30 September) that it was prepared to conduct any operation necessary to maintain law and order. It also said necessary arrangements would be made to conduct joint forces' operations if instructed by the relevant authorities.
New Ansar headquarters planned in Tejgaon
The new headquarters of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force will be constructed on 3.428 acres of land allocated by the Ministry of Public Works in Tejgaon.
Salahuddin said the force had long wanted to establish its own headquarters at a planned and suitable location.
The existing headquarters in Khilgaon operates from a limited space and also faces transportation constraints. To address these problems, a modern and larger infrastructure will be built at the new Tejgaon site.
Additional facilities are also being developed in Ashulia and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to ease the housing shortage for Ansar members performing central duties in Dhaka. Dormitories and barracks will be constructed at the new headquarters.
Around 60 lakh trained under Ansar, VDP
Bangladesh currently has around 20,000 battalion Ansar members and 60,000 embodied Ansar members, according to the minister.
In addition, around 60 lakh trained personnel are under 35,000 Village Defence Party (VDP) team leaders.
Taken together, regular and irregular members make Ansar the country's largest force, Salahuddin said.
Praising Ansar's contribution during the July mass uprising, various national crises and in maintaining law and order, the minister reiterated the government's commitment to meeting the force's financial and other demands in phases.
AI introduced for Dhaka traffic management
Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) have been introduced to improve traffic management in Dhaka, according to the minister.
The technology is being used to automatically process cases and restore discipline in vehicular movement.
Instructions have also been issued to prevent road excavation and construction work from causing traffic congestion. Authorities have been directed not to excavate entire roads at once, but to complete the work in sections and reconstruct the roads quickly.
