Police vehicle attacked and vandalised in Gopalganj, action being taken against those involved: home minister
A police vehicle was attacked and vandalised in Raghunathpur of Gopalganj Sadar upazila after police obstructed a procession of the banned organisation Chhatra League. At least two police members were injured in the incident. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed answered journalists' questions on the incident at the Secretariat on Sunday.
The home minister said action is being taken against those involved in the attack on police in Gopalganj. He also said the government has seen video of the incident.
Describing the incident, the minister said it occurred over a ferry ghat in an area of a union in Gopalganj Sadar. Several leaders and activists of the banned Awami League and its banned associate organisations Chhatra League and Jubo League tried to bring out a procession. Patrolling police went there and obstructed the procession.
The home minister said the number of police personnel there was small. That is why they came under attack. The police vehicle was vandalised in the attack and at least two police members were injured, it was learned.
The minister said action is being taken against those involved in the incident. Details will be known later, he added.
At the same briefing, asked about the law-and-order situation in Sajek, Rangamati, the home minister said the situation there has come under control. There are internal conflicts among various groups in the hills. Centred on the tourist season, they try to control various areas every year, he commented.
Salahuddin Ahmed said that in the hill region, besides the Jana Samhati Samiti and the UPDF, there are several more groups with similar names. Among them are factions including the reformist part of the UPDF, and there are internal conflicts among these groups as well.
He said the government is making every effort to keep the law-and-order situation normal. The Bangladesh Army has also taken necessary measures and will take more, he said.
Asked about action against an additional DIG after 85 people were detained from that officer's house, the home minister said the officer concerned has already been attached. Departmental proceedings will begin against him. All legal processes against that officer will be followed, he said.
The briefing also raised the issue of bringing back ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed in the mass uprising. The home minister said request letters have been sent several times to the neighbouring country under the extradition treaty to bring Sheikh Hasina back to the country. He made the remark in reply to journalists' questions at the Secretariat on Sunday afternoon.
At the start of the press conference, the home minister described the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja as a shining example of religious harmony. He said that after a long time, Sharadiya Durga Puja was celebrated in Bangladesh in a peaceful and festive atmosphere, and this year's Puja set a shining example of religious harmony in the country.
Salahuddin Ahmed said the government believes that in the past, untoward incidents, terrorist activities and acts destroying religious harmony occurred around Durga Puja at various times. This time it was possible to be free of those. He expressed hope that with everyone's cooperation, such a peaceful environment will continue in the coming days as well.
After the attack on police in Gopalganj, attention will now be on the action taken against those involved. According to the home minister, the government has the video of the incident and legal steps are proceeding accordingly; details will be announced later.
