Overall law-order situation hasn’t worsened due to isolated incidents: Home minister

Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the country’s overall law and order situation has not deteriorated due to a few isolated incidents.

“The law and order situation remains under the government’s control. The government takes public concerns over the country’s law and order situation seriously,” he said this afternoon (30 September) after a meeting on security arrangements for Durga Puja at the Secretariat.

Salahuddin said claims that the overall situation has deteriorated over a few isolated incidents are not accurate.

Responding to a question, he said investigations are underway into the attacks in the capital’s Mirpur and Manikdi areas. “Whoever is responsible will face action,” he said.

Regarding the clash between hawkers and city corporation officials during an eviction drive in Mirpur-10, he said the incident was probably caused by a lack of coordination.

Salahuddin said, “Religious harmony in the country is better than at any other time. More than 33,800 puja mandaps across the country will celebrate Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere.”

He also said the government’s allocation for Durga Puja has been increased to Tk5 crore from Tk4 crore this year.

“The number of puja mandaps has also increased by around 1,500 from last year,” he added.

Puja Udjapan Parishad General Secretary Santosh Sharma said the organisation was satisfied with the increased holiday and financial allocation.

He urged the home minister not to arrest any innocent members of the Hindu community ahead of the festival.