Instructions issued for law and order management

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said that the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members have been put on heightened alert along the border amid concerns over India’s possible push-in attempts following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) victory in the West Bengal election.

He said there is no immediate risk in this regard, but “despite this, we have instructed the BGB members yesterday (Tuesday) to remain alert to respond promptly if any such incident takes place.”

The home minister made the remark in response to reporters’ queries after a session on the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.

The BJP, a conservative political party in India, has secured victory in the West Bengal provincial election with a large margin of votes against the Trinamool Congress, an Indian political party based in the state of West Bengal, founded by its 15-year chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, in 1998.

“We have noticed that the BJP leaders announced before the election to push Muslims from the area into Bangladesh,” said Salahuddin, adding that necessary instructions have been given to the BGB men so that they can address the issue on time.

Zero-tolerance stance on drugs, terrorism, online gambling

Reaffirming his government’s zero-tolerance stance on drugs, terrorism and online gambling, the home boss said that the ongoing nationwide drive will continue and a new law will be enacted if necessary to curb such criminal activities.

Senior officials of the home ministry and the police department were present at the high-level administrative meeting where the DCs were instructed to keep the law and order situation under control, recover illegal firearms from the criminals, withdraw false and politically motivated cases and ensure a smooth and comfortable journey for the people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, likely to be observed on 28 May.

During the meeting, the home minister said that a large portion of the licensed firearms deposited during the pre-election period have not yet been returned to the owners and instructions have already been given to the authorities concerned for the speedy return of these weapons.

He said that the weapons covered by licenses issued before 6 January 2009 and after 5 August 2024 must be returned.

Besides, a decision will have to be taken after scrutinising the licences issued for the firearms on political considerations between 2009 and 2024.

Around 10,000 licensed firearms have not yet been deposited.