State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal has sprung to the defence of police with human rights bodies directing a barrage of criticism at them over alleged ‘encounters’.
“Police are left with no option but to engage in a battle when they are fired upon,” he said, referring to the death of the convicted JMB militant Rakibul Hasan in an alleged encounter.Hasan was one of three convicts snatched by miscreants from a prison van in Mymensigh on Feb 23. He was arrested within hours but was killed, according to the police, during a skirmish with his comrades.
On Monday, two people were killed in a ‘gunfight’ with RAB in Dhaka’s Kadamtali neighbourhood.
Two others were killed in a similar ‘encounter’ with police at Kadamtali a week ago. Close relatives of the dead alleged the two men had been murdered.
A home ministry committee formed to investigate the convict-snatching incident submitted its report on Sunday.
“I have read the report. We’ll hold a meeting with the Secretaries in the afternoon and will inform the Prime Minister,” the State Minister said on Monday when asked about the contents of the report.
He said the recommendations made in the report would be implemented. “Steps will be taken against those whom the report has deemed guilty.”
The State Minister said he had wondered how the dramatic incident had taken place.
“Militants and noted criminals do not want to get out of prison. They believe they can run subversive activities from behind the bars,” said Asaduazzaman Khan.
He hoped the two fugitives, Salauddin Salehin Sunny, convicted to death, and Jahidul Islam alias Bomaru Mizan, sentenced to life, would be arrested soon.
“Two planners [of the sabotage] have been arrested. There’s nothing to be worried about.”
He said strict measures had been taken to prevent them from fleeing abroad. “They will be caught soon,” the minister hoped.
Red alert has been issued on the border so that the militants and the attackers on police van cannot escape to the neighbouring countries. Police have already announced a Tk 500,000 bounty for each of the two militants.
The three JMB militants were being taken for a court hearing in Mymensingh from Gazipur.
Usually, there are police escorts whenever dangerous criminals are transported. However, there was none on Feb 23.
The militants had allegedly maintained contacts with their comrades using mobile phones of the police.
Responding to a query on using mobile phones inside the prison, the State Minister said: “We will inform the Prime Minister about what’s happening inside the prison and will take necessary steps.” – bdnews24.com
