Staff Reporter, Dhaka : The Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, has stated that the policy of rewarding good work and reprimanding negligence in curbing crime will remain in force.

The Minister made this statement this afternoon while responding to questions from journalists at his office in the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The Minister said, “Just as police personnel will be rewarded for curbing crime, provisions for reprimand and departmental action for any negligence or wrongdoing will also remain in force.” He noted that the police force has recently played a highly commendable and professional role in completing investigations and arresting suspects in several complex cases within the shortest possible time, including the sensational Ramisa rape and brutal murder case. Announcing rewards for the concerned police members in recognition of their good work, the Minister emphasized that while the good deeds of the police would be evaluated, no laxity or involvement of any member in criminal activities would be tolerated.

Terming the verdict in the Ramisa murder case a historic ‘milestone’ in the history of the country’s judiciary and police investigation, the Minister said, “DNA tests and autopsies were completed flawlessly within an exceptionally short period, and the chargesheet was submitted to the court. Furthermore, the judge and concerned officials and employees of the court canceled their Eid holidays (judicial leave) to complete the judicial proceedings of this case. This stands as a unique example of state and social accountability.”

Regarding the swift execution of the court’s verdict, he mentioned that considering the brutality and gravity of the Ramisa murder case, the Supreme Court and the Attorney General’s Office would be approached to expedite the Death Reference hearing in the serial order, while strictly adhering to legal procedures.

The Home Minister further stated that due to the dedicated and prudent role of the police personnel on duty at the Goalando (Daulatdia) Ghat, the lives of at least 50 bus passengers were saved. Additionally, the police successfully unraveled the mystery and arrested the suspects in a swift manner regarding a clueless murder case of a teenage girl in Gajaria, Munshiganj.

In reference to the four-day Director General (DG) level border conference between BGB and BSF, scheduled to commence tomorrow, 08 June, in New Delhi, the Home Minister stated that overall issues—including illegal push-ins, border killings, and other border security matters—will be discussed with high priority during the meeting. He added, “Our Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) remains on high alert along the border. Any attempt of illegal push-in or infiltration will be strictly resisted.”

Regarding the discussions by Members of Parliament on the law and order situation during yesterday’s parliamentary party meeting, the Minister informed that regular drives by law enforcement agencies to curb crime and narcotics are always ongoing. However, for strategic reasons, advance information about special operations is not disclosed. He further announced that the government is working on enacting timely and modern laws regarding narcotics control and gambling prevention so that criminals cannot exploit the loopholes of certain existing laws to escape justice. Once these legal reforms are completed, it will be easier to ensure strict punishment for criminals.

Journalists from various print, electronic, and online media outlets were present at the press briefing.