Campaign to list extortionists and armed criminals soon: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that a campaign to list extortionists and armed criminals will be launched soon across the country, including Dhaka. He told reporters after a meeting with senior officials of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Wednesday (March 4). It is learnt that the meeting discussed in detail the recent law and order situation in the capital, extortion, use of illegal weapons and activities of armed criminals.
The Home Minister said, “It will start from Dhaka, but the campaign will not be limited to the capital alone – a list of extortionists and armed criminals is being prepared across the country. The list will be prepared impartially without any bias or influence.” After that, a campaign will be launched using a coordinated plan and they will be brought under the law.
Salahuddin Ahmed said that recently there have been complaints of extortion, possession and illegal display of weapons in different areas, ‘Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to take a strict stance to control this crime. Whoever the criminal is, his political or social identity will not be considered – the law is equal for all.’
Seeking the cooperation of the people, the Home Minister said, ‘We hope that all the people of the country will cooperate with us. Public participation is very important in maintaining law and order. If there is an incident of extortion or intimidation with weapons anywhere, the law enforcement agencies should be informed immediately.’ At this time, assuring the people, he said, ‘The government is determined to ensure peace and order and the overall law and order situation in the country. We hope that the activities will be started as planned very soon.’
In the meeting, senior officials of the DMP proposed to form a special team to identify crime-prone areas of the capital, strengthen intelligence surveillance and arrest warrant-holding and absconding accused. The Home Minister has given necessary instructions in this regard, sources said.