Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the ministers and officials concerned to investigate and find out who was responsible for the publishing of an audio clip featuring al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri which surfaced on the internet recently.
Expressing her concern, the premier said it was too embarrassing for the government, and added that the persons behind the audio clip must be identified soon, as there could be pressure on the government.
The PM had given the directive at a cabinet meeting held at the secretariat yesterday, several ministers who attended the meeting told the Dhaka Tribune on condition of anonymity.
They also quoted the premier as saying Bangladesh wanted to prove that there was not a single member of al-Qaeda, an international militant organisation, in the country.
“Though the intelligence agencies of the country have already assured the government that there is no al-Qaeda member in the country, it must be confirmed. If there is any presence, tough steps will be taken against them, to save the government from international pressure. The government is also committed to preventing militancy,” the ministers quoted the premier as saying.
The discussion on the issue took a long time in the cabinet meeting, but it ended without making any specific decision, a minister said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the intelligence agencies, including the police and Rapid Action Battalion, have started investigating the issue.
Following a meeting at the home ministry yesterday, Mokhlesur Rahman, director general of the RAB, told reporters: “It is a sensitive issue for our country. It may take time to find out who the individuals are behind the message. We are scrutinising all the information we have received from different sources.”
The meeting was organised to discuss the preparations for managing the law and order situation ahead of February 21, the International Mother Language Day.
State Minister for Home Affairs Asadauzzaman Khan Kamal, who chaired the meeting, said the preparations and deployment of forces would remain as planned.
Regarding the initiative concerning the audio clip of al-Qaeda leader Zawahiri, the state minister said the government had taken some steps in this regard. The law enforcement and intelligence agencies had already started their investigation, he said. He expressed hope that it would be possible to prevent the miscreants from perpetrating any subversive activities.
“There is nothing to be worried about. This is not Pakistan or Afghanistan, this is Bangladesh. The people of the country will prevent them from doing such activities, as Bangladeshi’s are believers in religion, but are not blind on religious issues,” the state minister added.
