Dhaka, Nov 15 (bdnews24.com)–Home Minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir on Thursday ruled out dialogues with the ‘killers’, hours after the US Embassy in Dhaka, concerned over the recent countrywide violence by the Jamaat-e-Islami supporters, stressed on dialogue.
When his attention was drawn to the statement of the American Embassy, the minister told reporters: “No dialogue with the robbers and those who kill people, they need to be tamed first.”
The activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir went berserk in the city’s Motijheel on Nov 5 torching seven motorcycles as police intercepted their procession. At least 100 people, including several policemen, were injured when the Jamaat adherents fought pitched battles with the law enforcers.
Apparently in their desperation for the release of their top detained leaders facing trial for allegedly committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971, the Jamaat and Shibir activists have continued running riot since then, clashing with law enforcers in the capital and elsewhere across the country.
The Shibir activists on Monday allegedly set a police constable on fire during a general strike on the outskirts of Joypurhat town.
On Tuesday, the unruly Jamaat-Shibir men attacked the motorcade of Law Minister Shafique Ahmed in the city’s Karwan Bazaar, injuring three policemen who were giving him protocol.
Voicing concern over the recent violence and vandalism across the country, the US Embassy in the statement on Thursday said: “The ability to engage in a peaceful protest is a fundamental democratic right; there is no justification for the resort to violence. We believe dialogue is the best means for resolving differences.”
A delegation of the embassy led by US Ambassador to Dhaka Dan Mozena also called on the Home Minister at the latter’s office on Thursday.
Responding to queries from the reporters about the meeting, Alamgir said: “No dialogue with those who don’t hesitate to attack the country’s Law Minister without any reason.”
He said he discussed with the US delegation about the Rohingya refugee problem. “The Rohingyas staying in Bangladesh are the citizens of Myanmar, they (US team) also agreed on the issue.”
He said that measures would be taken to send back the Rohingyas through dialogue with Myanmar.
US Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Maria Otero and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration Kelly Clements, among others, were present at the meeting.
Source: Bd News24
