Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said that the country’s law and order situation has not deteriorated, but army personnel have been deployed in six districts as a precautionary measure based on intelligence inputs and reported activities of the Awami League.
Speaking to journalists at the Secretariat on Monday, the minister said law enforcement agencies must remain constantly alert. He claimed that some activities of the Awami League, including attempts to hold processions and gatherings, have been observed in different districts. Based on such developments, the government suspects possible attempts to create instability and has directed all security agencies to remain vigilant.
He said army personnel have been deployed from June 22 to June 30 under the “In Aid to Civil Power” provision. The deployment covers Dhaka, Chittagong, Narayanganj and Gazipur metropolitan areas, as well as Faridpur and Gopalganj districts.
The home minister said the move is intended to ensure swift response to any subversive activity. “This is not due to any failure of the police; it is a routine precautionary measure,” he added.
Responding to questions about a lack of confidence in the police, he said the force has a strong record of success and has been duly rewarded by the government for its performance. He added that disciplinary action is taken wherever any misconduct or breach of discipline occurs, stressing that there is no issue of mistrust in the police.
He further said that, when necessary, the government deploys the army or the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) under the “In Aid to Civil Power” framework, describing it as a routine procedure.
Referring to the withdrawal of army personnel nationwide on June 15, he said the situation at that time and the present circumstances are not the same. He noted that troops had been gradually withdrawn from field duties after the elected government assumed office.
Responding to a question on why army personnel have been deployed only in six areas, he said that risk levels are not uniform across the country. Intelligence reports suggest that activities of the organisation are relatively higher in certain specific areas.
“There are concerns about possible attempts to create unrest. Based on intelligence information, we have taken this decision as part of enhanced vigilance,” he said.
