Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the issue of justice for police killings during the July movement has already been “settled on the battlefield,” referring to the deaths and injuries of police personnel who had allegedly attacked protesters “like an invading force.”
He made the remarks on Monday in Parliament while responding to a question from lawmaker Akhtar Hossain during the first session of the 13th National Parliament.
“Those who, against the uprising participants and protesters, attacked like an invading force and carried out killings, massacres, and genocide—facing the resistance of the people, some may have lost their lives and some were injured; but that was settled on the battlefield,” the minister said.
He also mentioned that an ordinance would be issued to provide protection for July fighters, noting that the interim government had already issued the “July Fighter Protection Ordinance,” which the government has decided to place before Parliament as a bill on April 2 for passage.
The minister said: “133 ordinances have been presented in the National Parliament. A special committee has been formed to examine these ordinances, prepare reports, and submit them. We will discuss this on April 2. We have agreed to present the July Fighter Protection Ordinance in Parliament as a bill and pass it.”
Responding to claims circulating on social media, he said the “Awami fascist group” has been demanding whether all killings will be brought to trial. “I had said earlier that if that is the case, then would freedom fighters also be tried for actions against Razakars if someone files a case?” he said, reiterating his earlier remarks that the issue had already been settled in the context of battlefield resistance.
Referring to the trial of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister said some verdicts have already been delivered in cases against her and her associates, which the public has seen on television. He added that the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) and other courts are operating independently and that the government will not interfere in the judicial process. “Justice will be ensured for every enforced disappearance, killing, and genocide in this country,” he said.
In response to a separate question from lawmaker Abul Kalam Azad, the home minister outlined plans to restructure the police force. He said long-term plans are underway to transform the police into a disciplined and people-friendly force through improved technological capacity.
He noted that CCTV cameras are being installed at key locations for crime detection, while online general diaries (GD) and police clearance services have been introduced. He added that modern training programs for police personnel are being arranged both at home and abroad to ensure scientific investigation methods. The minister also said that the use of the Case Data Management System (CDMS) has strengthened the storage of criminal records and case monitoring activities.