Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has warned that no matter how influential the criminals are, they won't be spared.
He said this in response to questions from the journalists after visiting the remote hilly area of Jangal Salimpur in Sitakunda of Chattogram with high-ranking officials on Sunday morning.
The Home Minister said, “A list of illegal occupants here has been prepared. However, none of the local residents of Jungle Salimpur will be evicted. The government will make arrangements for their rehabilitation.”
He said, “After assuming office, the current government has given top priority to controlling the law and order situation in the country in the last one month. The government has a grand plan for Jungle Salimpur. The pending issue of transferring the central prison here will be resolved soon and quick action will be taken.”
The minister said, “A simultaneous operation will be conducted to stop extortion, drugs and terrorists not only in Salimpur but also across the country. If anyone threatens the common people of Jungle Salimpur with eviction or demands extortion, then directly mention their names and file a complaint with the deputy commissioner. No matter how influential the culprit is, they will not be spared.”
During the inspection, the Home Minister was accompanied by State Minister for Lands Mir Md. Helal Uddin, CCC Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, senior secretary of the Home Ministry Manjur Morshed Chowdhury, inspector general of police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir, RAB-7 commander, Chattogram deputy commissioner and Superintendent of Police and senior officials of the law enforcement agencies. After inspecting Jungle Salimpur, the minister left for Chattogram Circuit House to attend a special review meeting on the overall law and order situation in the district.
On January 19, RAB deputy assistant director Motaleb Hossain Bhuiyan was shot dead by terrorists while conducting a weapons recovery operation in this area. After that incident, the administration took control of the entire area in a joint operation by law enforcement agencies on March 9. A temporary joint camp was set up in Alinagar.
Lastly, on May 24, hundreds of armed criminals led by top terrorist Yasin, attacked the joint force camp with heavy bulldozers. The terrorists demolished the walls of the camp and cut large holes in the inner road to block the way of the law enforcement agencies. After a massive exchange of fire for about two hours, the attackers fled deep into the mountains. A case was filed against 300 unidentified terrorists, including 43 people, at Sitakunda Police Station on May 26 in connection with this attack.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
