The government has announced Tk1 lakh bounty for helping in the arrest of miscreants who are creating anarchy on the streets, making arson attacks and blasting bombs in the name of blockade.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu made the announcement yesterday after a cabinet committee meeting on law enforcement.
This comes as an official bounty announcement only a day after State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said rewards would be announced.
In December 2013, when political unrest in the country was at its peak, Dhaka Metropolitan Police published a list of 11 individuals and declared Tk1 lakh bounty for each of them after a group of criminals vandalised and set fire to cars and shops and exploded bombs near the Fakirerpul kitchen market in the capital.
However, as of yesterday, nobody has given police any information about those suspected Jamaat-Shibir activists.
According to sources, there is no instance in Bangladesh’s history where a bounty is announced and a common citizen has helped police in arresting a criminal by giving information or any other means.
The perception is that although police always pledge to keep informers’ identity secret, the citizens do not trust police enough to tip them off even if they have any information.
Amu said yesterday: “Innocent people are being killed across the country by hurling petrol bombs and crude bombs in the name of political programmes. Vehicles are also being vandalised and torched.”
He said: “Attackers are killing people in the name of political programmes. They have also destroyed governmental resources. The cabinet committee has decided that violence and sabotage have to be stopped at any cost.
“We have also decided to form strong anti-terrorism committees at every district and upazila which will be led by the respective deputy commissioners and upazila executive officers. Civil society members, professionals and student will also be involved [in the committees].”
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan and State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal attended the cabinet body meeting.
