The government has plans to shoot blockade-enforcing arsonists and saboteurs “on sight” as part of its hard line strategy against such miscreants, a minister has said.
While visiting arson victims at the burn unit of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali said the government has plans to shoot the blockade-enforcing perpetrators “on sight,” adding that an arrangement on this regard would be made within a week.
“There is no need to try them under the speedy trials act. We want to declare a war against them. This can no longer be tolerated. An arrangement will be made in this regard by a week.”
Admitting that the government had failed to provide security to the citizens, the minister termed the failure “upsetting.” He also claimed that the violence against the people amounted to “a violation of human rights.”
On the other hand, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said the government was also considering other options to tackle the arsonists.
“The government will reward those who would provide information that leads to the arrests of arsonists,” Kamal told journalists when the newly elected members of Crime Reporters Association of Bangladesh paid a courtesy visit at his ministry office yesterday.
However, asked about monetary details on the award, he said: “The reward amount will be fixed and announced later.”
Asked about the recent suspensions of different internet voice and messaging services, the state minister said: “The government has information that terrorists are using the applications for carrying out criminal activities.
“The applications have been closed temporarily and would be made operational later,” he added.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu yesterday said the government would ensure the “highest measures” against those causing violence during the blockade.
Briefing reporters at the secretariat, the minister said: “If the blockade continues until the upcoming SSC examinations, the government would take the highest action to normalise people's lives.”
Asked what he meant by “highest measures,” Inu said: “The government will not take any action in an autocratic style. The government must take the highest action, but that has to be taken in accordance to the law.”
Also when asked if there was any possibility of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia being arrested, the information minister said: “It depends on the situation.”