Play store
Patuakhali-2 lawmaker Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud has questioned how many bomb explosions or attacks on vehicles would be needed before the government acknowledges a deterioration in the country’s law and order situation.
Raising concerns over the security situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and a series of cocktail explosions and attacks on vehicles in different parts of the country, the opposition lawmaker put the question in Parliament on Wednesday.
Speaking during the parliamentary session, Masud said the Chittagong Hill Tracts was an extremely important part of Bangladesh, but armed groups operating in the region had repeatedly targeted members of the country’s armed forces and other law enforcement personnel.
“From time to time, we have seen armed groups attack not only our patriotic army personnel but also other members of the law enforcement agencies. Many have been killed and injured, allegedly with incitement and support from neighbouring countries. Was there any immediate and visible action of the kind required from the law enforcement agencies in response to these attacks?” he asked.
He also expressed concern over the reported military capabilities of armed groups in the region, claiming that some of them possessed sophisticated weapons that were not available to the army personnel stationed at certain camps.
“We have learnt from different media reports and local sources that, in some cases, armed groups possess more sophisticated weapons than those available at army camps. Our law enforcement personnel and army members in the region reportedly do not have access to such weapons,” he said.
Seeking clarification on the role of the Home Ministry, the lawmaker alleged that there was a deep-rooted conspiracy to destabilise the entire hill region and undermine its security, tourism and industrial activities.
He said attempts were being made to disrupt the tourism industry, particularly in Sajek, and other economic activities in the region, potentially undermining Bangladesh’s control over the strategically important area.
“I would like to know what role the home minister and the Home Ministry are playing in addressing this situation,” he said.
Masud also criticised the home minister’s remarks in Parliament on Tuesday, when he responded to concerns raised by the opposition leader about the country’s law and order situation.
Referring to the minister’s argument that the bombing of a university vehicle alone was not sufficient to establish a deterioration in law and order, Masud said reports of attacks on vehicles had emerged from different parts of the country.
“Yesterday, in response to the opposition leader’s statement, the Home Ministry said that the explosion of a cocktail on just one university vehicle could not be considered a deterioration in the law and order situation. But we have seen reports in different media outlets that attacks have taken place on hundreds of vehicles, not just a few,” he said.
He then challenged the government to clarify the threshold for recognising a breakdown in public security.
“How many people need to be attacked, how many more bombs need to explode, or how many more vehicles need to come under attack before we can understand that the law and order situation in Bangladesh has deteriorated?” he asked.
Responding to Masud, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said he would give a brief answer to the lengthy questions, as he had taken the floor to respond to an issue concerning the Defence Ministry.
“I have stood up to answer a question related to the Defence Ministry. Let me respond to that first,” he said.
Addressing concerns over the situation in Sajek Valley, the minister said the government shared the lawmaker’s concerns about security in the popular tourist destination.
“We share the concerns expressed by the honourable member regarding Sajek Valley. Before every tourist season, internal disputes tend to emerge among armed groups in the area, particularly over maintaining control of certain territories,” he said.
The minister said the situation had been handled peacefully through coordinated efforts by the Bangladesh Army and law enforcement agencies, with the cooperation of local political leaders and other stakeholders.
“With the coordinated efforts of the Bangladesh Army and law enforcement agencies, and the cooperation of political leaders and everyone concerned in the area, the situation has been handled peacefully. The situation there is stable,” he said.
However, he did not directly respond to the lawmaker’s questions about the reported attacks on vehicles, bomb explosions and the broader law and order situation.
Salahuddin Ahmed said he would address the second part of the questions later when he delivers a statement on behalf of the Home Ministry under Rule 300 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.
Earlier, the home minister had defended the government’s assessment of the law and order situation while responding to concerns over hand-bomb explosions and buses set on fire in different parts of the country.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, he said it would not be reasonable to conclude that the country’s overall law and order situation had deteriorated because of one or two isolated incidents.
He also alleged that ousted fascist forces were attempting to destabilise the country and that their associates hiding inside Bangladesh were being encouraged to become active again, with support and incitement from across the border.
The exchange in Parliament highlighted contrasting assessments by the government and opposition lawmakers over the country’s security situation, particularly the need to address sporadic violence, attacks on vehicles and security concerns in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.