No Formal Decision Yet on Joint Operations in Bangladesh Says Home Minister
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said regular coordinated operations by law enforcement agencies to combat crime will be further intensified across the country
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has clarified that no formal decision has been taken to conduct a joint military or multi-agency operation across the country, describing the coordinated efforts of the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Special Response Battalion (SRB), and Ansar as a routine operational process. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning (December 4) following the plaque unveiling ceremony for the new headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) in Dhaka's Tejgaon area, the minister emphasized that these integrated measures to curb terrorism, extortion, and narcotics are ongoing and will be further intensified in the future.
Addressing accountability within law enforcement, the minister issued a stern warning regarding negligence and criminal misconduct among personnel. He asserted that concrete evidence of dereliction of duty or involvement in criminal acts would trigger strict departmental and legal actions, extending far beyond mere withdrawal from service, with formal criminal cases being filed against wrongdoers. Looking ahead to national security during the winter period, Minister Salahuddin stated that December, being the month of victory, will not be permitted to be destabilized by any vested quarters or malevolent forces.
Highlighting infrastructural developments for the security apparatus, the minister noted that the long-standing aspiration for a dedicated, well-planned headquarters for the Ansar and VDP is finally being realized through the allocation of over three acres of land by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works to construct a modern, expansive facility. Praising the force as the largest security contingent in the country encompassing both regular and irregular personnel, he lauded their vital contributions during national crises, including the July mass uprising, while assuring them of phased fulfillment of their financial and other legitimate demands.
Turning to the persistent issue of urban congestion, the minister detailed recent initiatives to overhaul Dhaka's traffic management system through the integration of automation and artificial intelligence to streamline automated case processing and restore discipline on the roadways. To mitigate commuter suffering caused by infrastructure work, strict directives have been issued to authorities halting the practice of excavating entire stretches of roads simultaneously, mandating instead that work be conducted in smaller, segmented phases followed by immediate reconstruction.
The press briefing was attended by senior officials, including Public Security Division Senior Secretary Monzur Morshed Chowdhury and Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
