Dhaka Metropolitan Police yesterday announced rewards worth Tk25,000 to Tk1 lakh for providing information leading to the arrest of anarchists. The Rapid Action Battalion, which had announced similar bounties earlier handed the rewards to five ordinary people yesterday.
RAB chief Benazir Ahmed distributed Tk20,000 each to five people who had caught arsonists red handed in Narayanganj a few days back and given a good beating. They were later handed over to the police with Molotov cocktails and gun powder found in their possessions.
Earlier on January 23, the government announced Tk1 lakh bounty for handing in arsonists. RAB made its announcement the following day.
The move was taken in the wake of violence during the nationwide indefinite blockade enforced by the BNP-Jamaat-led 20-party alliance demanding ouster of the government.
Benazir at the event in the capital’s Gulistan area said all the law enforcement agencies were working together to arrest the anarchists and the planners. “If we can raise awareness against the anarchists, the peace-loving people will come forward and resist them,” he said.
The names of informers and those who catch anarchists would be kept secret. “RAB will provide them adequate security,” he added.
Later the RAB chief also inaugurated distribution of leaflets and posters among the city commuters.
Meanwhile, DMP Commissioner Mohammad Asaduzzaman Miah announced the rewards from a press briefing at the DMP media centre.
“Tk1 lakh will be given if anyone helps the police in arresting the arsonists or the persons involved in vandalism red handed, Tk50,000 for information on hand bomb and Molotov cocktail attackers while Tk25,000 for helping in the arrest of those involved in making or storing bombs or explosives,” the commissioner said.
Asaduzzaman also said the police had strengthened operation against the arsonists. “Tk1 lakh bounty has been announced on bombers’ head as well.”
The DMP chief said they had already published leaflets containing phone numbers of officers in police and intelligence agencies, and the police commissioners concerned.
He warned that criminals, instigators and masterminds would not be spared. “Killing innocent people in the name of movement cannot be a way of doing politics. Rather it is a criminal offence.”
Asked what step they will take against BNP chief Khaleda Zia as her name had been mentioned in the FIR in connection with Jatrabari arson incident, Asaduzzaman said the authorities would take steps in line with the investigation and deposition of witnesses.
