Attacks on the religious minority
Secretarial body formed, to report within a week
Staff Correspondent
The government yesterday formed a secretarial committee to report within a week on actual situation about the recent attacks on members of the minority community across the country.
The second meeting of the cabinet committee on law and order, held at the Prime Minister's Office with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the chair, formed the committee headed by Kamaluddin Siddiqui, principal secretary to the prime minister.
The meeting decided that the government would take necessary action after piecing together information gathered through a four-pronged channel. The secretarial committee's report apart, the government will glean information through diplomatic channel, ministers and MPs, sources said.
The secretarial committee is mandated to investigate the incidents of violence against the minority community and of exodus, if any, and to report to the cabinet committee within a week. This committee will also provide a set of recommendations.
Moreover, members of the council of ministers will also visit different areas in the country and gather reports on violence against the religious minority.
The MPs representing the ruling alliance, especially those from constituencies in borderline districts, will visit their localities to verify allegations of out-migration of the religious minority.
Moreover, the country's mission in Kolkata will be asked to report on whether there was any case of migration to India.
The meeting decided to carry out a joint inspection at thanas by DCs, ADCs and SPs and at 42 metropolitan thanas by senior officers of the home ministry.
Home Secretary Dr Sadat Hossain apprised the meeting that the incidence of hijackings and other crimes had declined in the last few days. New Inspector General of Police Mudabbir Hussain Chowdhury informed the meeting that 374 law enforcement groups were on patrol in three shifts to check crimes in the capital.
Presiding over the meeting, the prime minister laid utmost importance on curbing of crimes impacting daily life.
Instructing the home ministry to scale up the ongoing illegal arms recovery drive, she said the November 10 deadline for surrendering of illegal arms would not be extended.
The prime minister reiterated stern measures against terrorists, possessors of illegal arms and extortionists, irrespective of party affiliations.
She also asked the authorities to take action against those police officials, especially officers-in-charge on patrol, found negligent to their duties. The prime minister suggested that those providing information helping recover illegal arms be rewarded.
The new government had decided earlier to hold meetings of the cabinet committee on law and order on Sundays and Wednesdays. However, the meeting was held yesterday due to the National Revolution and Solidarity Day on Wednesday.
LGRD Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Labour and Employment Minister Abdulla-Al-Noman, Works Minister Mirza Abbas, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sadek Hossain Khoka, Education Minister Dr Osman Faruq and PM's Political Secretary Haris Chowdhury attended the meeting.
Besides, Cabinet Secretary Dr Akbar Ali Khan, PM's Principal Secretary Dr Kamaluddin Siddiqui, Home Secretary Dr Sadat Hossain, Law Secretary Afzal Hossain Ahmad, IGP Mudabbir Hussain Chowdhury, DMP Commissioner Anwarul Iqbal and other officials concerned were also present at the meeting.
Source: The Daily Start, Nov 9, 2001