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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Saturday directed police to make effective use of their own intelligence capabilities to bring what he described as “associates of fascism and Awami forces” to justice, while announcing rewards for those who play a role in their arrests.
“Those who can bring the associates of fascism and Awami forces under the law will be rewarded,” he said at a medal-giving ceremony marking Police Week-2026 at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital.
The minister said several people described by the authorities as associates of the previous political forces had been arrested recently, including two “strong associates of fascism” in the previous week and another on Friday.
“They had been hiding here all this time. Where was our intelligence support?” he asked, urging police to strengthen and effectively use their own intelligence capabilities.
He also warned that legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to create instability in the country.
Referring to United Nations figures, Salahuddin Ahmed said around 1,400 people were killed in the country during one month of the movement.
He also referred to figures concerning extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and deaths in custody over the past 17 years.
Questioning whether people would want those responsible for such killings and the politicisation of state institutions to return to politics, the minister said those who had not expressed regret, remorse or sought forgiveness following the killings were now speaking from outside Bangladesh.
On efforts to bring back convicted fugitives, including former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the home minister said Bangladesh had formally requested the neighbouring country to return them under the extradition treaty.
“We have officially requested the neighbouring country, as per the extradition treaty, to return the convicted fugitives including Sheikh Hasina,” he said.
He added that if the individuals concerned voluntarily returned to Bangladesh and faced the law, the legal process would take its own course.
At the ceremony, the home minister presented Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President Police Medal (PPM) awards to 98 police members in recognition of their service.
Home Ministry Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and senior police officials attended the programme.