The government has taken a firm stance against any attempt to create unrest or chaos centred on the murder of a lawyer in Chittagong, the state told the High Court yesterday.
The issue is a top priority of the government, it said.
The development came following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon).
Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haque and Deputy Attorney General Md Asad Uddin represented the state before the bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury on the government's position yesterday.
The state said the matter had been given the highest priority by the government, adding that three cases had been filed in connection with the incident and 33 people had been arrested.
Law enforcement agencies were working to prevent any unrest stemming from the issue, it added.
A writ petition was filed with the High Court on Wednesday seeking a ban on Iskcon and the imposition of emergency measures in Chittagong and Rangpur to avoid any untoward situation.
Citing media reports, lawyer Moniruzzaman sought directives from the High Court. Given the sensitivity of the matter, the court summoned the attorney general.
Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman later said some parties might be attempting to destabilize the country from certain angles, adding that the government was addressing the situation by fostering national unity and had initiated discussions with political parties regarding the recent issues.
The court expressed concern and emphasized that no one should be allowed to have law and order deteriorate.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Sanatan Jagaran Jote and a former Iskcon leader, was arrested on Monday at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while en route to Chittagong, where he resides.
The next day, clashes erupted outside a Chittagong court after Chinmoy was denied bail.
His followers held a protest at the court, leading to a confrontation. Amid the chaos, Saiful Islam Alif, 35, an assistant public prosecutor, was killed.
Call for ban on Iskcon continues
Islamic political parties with similar views have demanded the trial for lawyer Saiful Islam’s murder and the banning of the "extremist organization" Iskcon.
The demand was made during a press conference organized by these parties at the National Press Club yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Lawyers' Association has also demanded a ban on Iskcon.
The demand was made at a press conference held at the Supreme Court Bar auditorium yesterday afternoon.
Court proceedings suspended
In protest of the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, the Chittagong District Bar Association observed a strike for the second consecutive day.
Since yesterday morning, the court proceedings had been halted due to the absence of lawyers. The lawyers lowered the association’s flag to half-mast and wore black badges.
Mohammad Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, president of the Chittagong District Bar Association, said that in accordance with the association’s decision, the lawyers continued their strike for the second consecutive day.