Several ministries, law enforcement agencies and other government wings have failed to implement the decisions made by a high-power committee last month to resist militant activities, at a time when threats by Islamist extremist groups are rising in Bangladesh and neighbouring India.
During the fourth meeting of the National Committee on Militancy Resistance and Prevention yesterday, 10 government wings were supposed to submit progress reports on the assignments they had been given in the previous meeting, held on August 14.
As only the police and the Islamic Foundation submitted their reports, others were given more time while the law enforcement and intelligence agencies asked to strengthen vigilance, said a senior official of the Home Ministry, preferring anonymity.
According to the working paper of the fourth meeting, it was decided in the third meeting that Bangladesh Bank would inform the law enforcement agencies of any suspicious transaction in favour of any person or organisation immediately.
The Bank and Financial Institution Division was asked to inform the committee whether compensation money realised from a firm or individual could be spent under CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities.
Moreover, the Finance Ministry was supposed to work with a view to formulating a comprehensive CSR policy.
The Islamic Foundation was directed to prepare a report on sources of funds for the militant organisations and Islamist firms.
As per the decision of the third meeting, the Education Ministry was asked to modernise and update the curricula of the Madrasa Education Board, and inserting writings against militancy and terrorism.
The Religious Affairs Ministry and the Islamic Foundation were tasked to identify the issues present in the curricula of madrasa textbooks which contradict with the Qur’an and the Hadith, and may encourage extremism.
The committee also asked them to continue the ongoing awareness campaigns against militancy across the country by arranging public meetings at district- and upazila-levels and training of the imams who will address devotees at mosques before Jum’a prayers.
The Information Ministry was directed to make effective documentary and short films, and advertisements highlighting the negative and destructive impacts of extremism. The ministry was also asked to take steps with regard to publish and broadcast those in print and electronic media.
The information and cultural affairs ministries were asked to produce drama with the help of eminent script writers and arrange broadcasting those in the electronic media and exhibiting in remote areas through the mass communication department.
The Information Ministry was asked to take steps so that the private TV channels telecast at least one anti-militancy drama every month, reads the working paper.
While giving permission of any print or electronic media, the Islamic Foundation would make it mandatory for the media outlets to broadcast anti-militancy programmes.
Apart from these, the high-power committee in its third meeting also asked intelligence agencies – Special Branch, National Security Intelligence and Directorate General of Forces Intelligence – to maintain tight vigil on social, cultural, religious and educational institutions across the country to resist any militant activities.
The previous meeting also suggested that surveillance was fortified to keep under watch the activities of militant groups including al-Qaeda and ISIL.
The Home Ministry senior official who attended yesterday’s meeting said only the Islamic Foundation and the police submitted their progress reports.
While briefing reporters after the meeting, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan did not say anything about the progress of previous decisions. Senior officials of the ministries concerned and the law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.
“The law enforcement agencies will investigate suspicious transactions in favour of any organisation following information given by the Bangladesh Bank to see whether those are linked to militancy.”
He said: “The cases related to militancy will be disposed of as soon as possible so that the militants in the jails cannot continue their activities.”
Expressing concern over school, college and private university students’ getting involved in militant activities, he urged all educational institutions to launch awareness programmes to discourage the students.
Regarding the Bardhaman blast incident of October 2 in which suspected JMB militants of Bangladesh origin were allegedly involved, Asaduzzaman said: “India has not informed us officially about the matter through the Bangladesh ambassador.
“If anyone speaks in Bangla it does not mean that he is a Bangladeshi. We are looking into the matter.”
He said intelligence surveillance to resist militancy had been strengthened.
