Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday asked the ministers and officials concerned to take tough actions to prevent the rise of militant groups and to stop terrorism financing from inside or outside the country.
The cabinet meeting yesterday discussed the issues of rising militancy, terror financing in the country and the ruling party’s dismal performance in the first phase of upazila polls.
A minister seeking anonymity said some of the ministers informed the premier that a section of police officials who were involved with the security of the Jama’atul Mujahidin Bangladesh (JMB) convicts were involved in the JMB snatching incident.
The minister also said the miscreants talked to the police officials over mobile phone to be confirmed about the location. The convicted criminals also talked to the snatchers during the incident from the prison van, he added.
While addressing the meeting, the premier said: “It is being investigated whether the incident happened due to lack of security measures.”
Expressing her content over the immediate arrest of one of the JMB members, the premier said the other convicted JMB members who fled away would be arrested soon.
Expressing her dissatisfaction over the performance of her party candidates in the first phase of upazila parishad polls, the premier ordered the ministers and the party’s seven teams, which were given the responsibility to oversee issues related to upazila polls, to ensure single candidate in the upcoming polls. She also ordered to take steps against rebel candidates if necessary.
Communication Minister Obaidul Quader was given charge to monitor and look after the issue seriously. The action would be taken considering the report of Obaidul Quader, another minister confirmed the Dhaka Tribune.
Regarding the participation of Kader Siddique in the by-polls of Tangail 8 constituency, several ministers commented that though he boycotted the January 5 polls supporting the BNP-led 19-party alliance, he was willing to participate in the by-polls because he realised that it was a mistake to boycott general elections.
