‘No One Spared, Even an MP’s Child Was Arrested’: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that no one has been given preferential treatment, adding that even the child of a member of parliament was arrested and taken into remand. He made the remarks while responding to journalists' questions in Rajshahi on Thursday, October 29.

Speaking about law and order and the role of police, the minister said police were successfully identifying suspects, making arrests, conducting investigations and bringing cases to trial. Acknowledging that exceptions may occur, he said a system of rewards and penalties had been introduced within the police force.

Referring to the principle of restraining wrongdoers and protecting those who do good, Salahuddin Ahmed said officers were being rewarded for good performance. He added that action was being taken against police personnel involved in crimes, illegal activities or breaches of departmental discipline. He said discipline was also being maintained in other law enforcement agencies.

The minister said several laws had been amended and new legislation enacted to improve and maintain law and order, with further measures planned. He claimed there had been no extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances or deaths in custody by law enforcement agencies. He said this reflected the establishment of the rule of law, while acknowledging that more work was needed to meet public expectations.

Regarding the by-election, he said the information available to him indicated that voting was proceeding smoothly and no untoward incidents had occurred. Citing reports from election officials, he said voter turnout had reached around 30 percent. He reiterated the government's commitment to democratic practice and a safe electoral environment.

Asked about speculation that the Awami League might return to politics in December, Salahuddin Ahmed said the party would not return then. He referred to it as a banned political party and accused it of authoritarian conduct and violence during the mass uprising.

The minister further claimed that more than 1,400 people were killed according to United Nations figures and more than 2,000 according to the government's figures. He alleged that the Awami League had neither apologised nor expressed regret over these deaths. He also accused the party of labelling people involved in the mass uprising as militants.

On the party's possible future political role, the minister said the government was not concerned about speculation over its return and remained committed to establishing the rule of law. He added that anyone who returned or came under the jurisdiction of the law would be dealt with according to the law.