Home minister sees political instigation

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan yesterday claimed that political instigation was behind the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks.

“I want to make it clear that those who are being caught [in connection with militancy] admitted that they are either Jamaat cadres or were known as Jamaat men. And they are the ones who are doing these things [militant activities],” he said.

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They are not only members of Jamaat but also of banned militant outfits, said the minister.

He was talking to journalists after a discussion at Krishibid institute auditorium in the capital. Dhaka City Chhatra League (North) organised the programme marking the National Mourning Day.

“You [journalists] know whose patronisation made them militants. You had seen what Bangla Bhai did in Bagmara. You also know who were running the country at that time.”

Asaduzzaman also said the masterminds of the Gulshan and Sholakia attacks would be arrested “anytime”.

“These conspirators, these masterminds who finance and assist [militancy] are being identified one after another. We will be able to bring them to book after arrest,” he said.

At another programme later in the day, Asaduzzaman reiterated that the Holey Artisan attackers had no links with Islamic State (IS).

Referring to police, he claimed that the number of misguided youths involved in militancy would not be more than 150.

“Militants have become isolated and will be stamped out. We've identified them and found out their financiers and leaders.”

The people of this country are united against all sort of militant activities and they have already showed their resentment at it, he said.

The minister reiterated that the defeated force of the 1971 Liberation War were out to tarnish the country's image before the world. “Let's deter them whoever want to establish IS presence in Bangladesh,” he said.

“I have travelled from Teknaf to Tetulia but did not find the organisational presence of IS.”

He also said police have already gleaned “enough information” from the person detained during the drive on a militant den at Kalyanpur in July. “We are working on it.”

Asaduzzaman was addressing an anti-militancy rally organised by Jongi-Santrash Birodhi Nagorik Oikya in the playground of Bangla College at Mirpur in the city.

At the programme, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque called for not doing politics over police activities. “Don't create controversy over the role of police in [handling] militancy,” he said.

He also said police would not spare those who would become threat for common people.

“If anyone flees from their home without informing anyone, police will not take that responsibility,” he added.

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia requested city landlords to provide police with information about tenants. “Give us information, we'll ensure your security,” he said.

Lawmaker of Dhaka-11 Aslamul Haque said white flags would be hoisted on top of 23,000 “holdings” in his constituency on September 23 to declare that people are united for peace and prosperity.

Gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery in the capital's Gulshan diplomatic zone on this July 1 and killed 20 hostages, mostly foreigners. Two police officials were also killed during the 12-hour hostage standoff.

Four people, including a suspected attacker, were killed in a militant attack near the Sholakia Eid congregation ground on July 7, the Eid day, in Kishoreganj.