Govt adopts zero tolerance policy to prevent mob violence: Home minister

The government is following a "zero tolerance" policy to prevent mob violence and the tendency to take the law into one's own hands, Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told parliament today (27 August).

"The state has the exclusive authority to administer justice for crimes. Punishing or physically assaulting anyone without following due legal process is completely illegal and a gross violation of human rights," he said in response to a question from reserved-seat lawmaker Salina Sultana during the third session of parliament.

Salahuddin said the government has specific action plans to prevent mob violence and the tendency to take the law into one's own hands while ensuring the rule of law and public safety.

Criminals involved in violence or mob beatings are being identified quickly and brought to justice, he said. At the same time, searches and surveillance have been intensified in areas where there is a risk of violence spreading.

Visible patrols by law enforcement agencies have also been strengthened, alongside intelligence surveillance, to ensure public safety, the minister said.

He said CCTV cameras were being installed at important locations, while information technology was being used to identify criminals and bring them under the law.

The government is also maintaining regular communication with leaders of mosques, temples, churches, and other religious institutions to prevent extremism from taking root, he added.

The authorities are monitoring social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, to prevent anyone from spreading rumours that could trigger mob violence or other untoward incidents, Salahuddin said.

He also said authorities were taking effective measures through beat policing, involving respected members of local communities, to prevent mob violence and ensure public safety.

"There is no scope for taking the law into one's own hands to establish the rule of law and ensure public safety. No individual or group has the right to punish anyone outside the state's legal process," the home minister said.

Govt boosting police capacity to combat drugs, extortion

In response to a question from Sherpur-1 MP Md Rashedul Islam Rashed, Salahuddin also told parliament that the government has taken various measures to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to tackle drugs, juvenile crime, extortion, and organised crime.

He said the government was working to develop the police into a modern, technology-driven, and people-friendly force through domestic and international training, the use of body-worn cameras, the provision of modern technological equipment, and recruitment of new personnel at the assistant sub-inspector and sub-inspector levels.

Online general diary and police clearance services have also been made easier, while AI-based cameras and automated fines have been introduced for traffic management, he added.

The minister said RAB had arrested 3,186 people, including 2,491 drug dealers, in operations since 12 February this year. During the operations, authorities seized 40,91,795 yaba pills, 19,532 bottles of phensedyl, 25kg of heroin, and 11,349kg of cannabis, along with large quantities of other drugs.

The operations also led to the arrest of 84 members of juvenile gangs and 83 extortionists, he said.

Salahuddin further said the Department of Narcotics Control conducted 55,251 operations between 17 February and 15 August, filing 16,373 cases and arresting 17,140 people.

The government has taken initiatives to formulate new laws to control drugs, establish drug crime tribunals, curb cybercrime, intensify operations along the border and form dog squads, he said.

Plans are also in place to strengthen the Department of Narcotics Control further in order to disrupt the drug supply chain, the minister added.

The government also plans to improve accountability and transparency within the police to gain public trust while making the force more modern and technology-driven, Salahuddin said.