Govt helping militants to get back to normal life: Minister

Dhaka, Jan 14 – Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Thursday said the government not only contained militancy but also working to bring the militants to normal life.“Bangladesh doesn’t patronise militancy and we never said that we have eradicated militancy but we say that we have been able to contain militancy,” said the minister while addressing the surrender programme of some militants held at the Rab Headquarters.
“Many people in different countries have asked me how we are tackling militancy. In reply, we said the people of the country do not support militancy that’s why we have been able to control militancy,” he said.
“Those who adopted the wrong path have returned to their parents, which brings smile to the faces of the parents,” said Asaduzzaman.
Alongside the development, Bangladesh is now becoming a role model in controlling militancy and chances have been to the militants and extremists to return to normal life.
“Besides, we have also taken steps for their rehabilitation,” said the Minister.
Nine militants surrendered at the event are—Jannat Asma, Mohamamd Hossain alias Hasan Gazi, 23, Mohamamd Saifullah, 37, Saiful Islam, 31, Mohammad Al Mamun, 26, Saidur Rahman, 22 and Abdur Rahman Sohel, 28.
Besides, a couple identified as Shaon Muntaha Ibne Shawkat, 34 and Nusrat Ali Juhi, 29 also surrendered before the Home Minister at the Rab headquarters.
Shaon, a resident of Sylhet, got involved in the activities of Hizbut Tahriri, a militant organisation, while studying at a public university. He married Nusrat, a medical student, in 2011.
The couple along with two children got detached from their parents four years back in 2017 as they got involved in militancy.
Asma, who surrendered at the programme said, “I passed the SSC exam in 2019 and got married to one through social media. After that I got involved in militancy. I was alone and took the path wrongfully.” – UNB