The Daily Star
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed yesterday said he did not consider the Awami League a political party, describing it instead as a “mafia group”, and said its activities remained banned.
Speaking to journalists at the home ministry, he said police had been instructed to remain alert ahead of the party’s founding anniversary on June 23.
Referring to a Police Headquarters alert issued ahead of the founding anniversary of the Awami League, the minister said, “Issuing alerts is our responsibility. Since we suspect that a political party whose activities have been banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act may seek to use June 23 as an occasion … politically, we say it is not a political party; it is a mafia group.”
He said the police force would perform its duties, which was why alerts had been issued across the country.
On June 18, PHQ issued a nationwide alert over fears of possible clashes between Awami League activists and members of other political parties, centring on the party’s founding anniversary on June 23.
According to the PHQ notification, leaders and activists of the Awami League may try to hoist party flags at local offices and bring out processions carrying banners to mark the anniversary across different districts.
Such activities could lead to confrontations with activists of other political parties, especially members of the National Citizen Party and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, the platform that led the July uprising, creating risks of deterioration in the law and order situation, the notification said.
Salahuddin also said Mohammadpur had become a safe haven for criminals over many years, and it was not possible to remove them overnight.
He said plans had been taken to bring the area under control, adding that criminals in the area would be removed gradually.
The minister also said the police force had rapidly regained its moral footing and courage after August 5, 2024. Following the formation of the elected government, police have become active and are carrying out their duties despite risks to their lives, he added.
Regarding disciplinary measures, the minister said the temporary suspension of former Gazipur commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan was being processed in accordance with legal and departmental rules.
He also said following allegations of harassment and physical assault of national cricketer Nayeem Hasan in Chattogram, an investigation was completed and strict departmental action, including withdrawal and temporary suspension, was taken against the constable, sub-inspector and officer-in-charge concerned within an hour.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/politics/news/al-not-party-its-mafia-group-minister-4203871
