Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday emphasized the urgent need to protect minorities in Bangladesh by establishing a ‘command centre’ for intensive monitoring of the country’s law and order situation and directed the police to introduce an online system for filing cases nationwide.
He instructed law enforcement agencies to take decisive action against extortionists to keep food and essential commodity prices stable during the month of Ramadan.
The directives came during a high-level meeting with the chiefs of Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies, where he reviewed the country’s security situation.
The chief adviser urged security agencies to remain on high alert against any attempts to disrupt peace, stating, ‘We should be vigilant as if we are in a war-time situation.’
‘This year is a critical one for the country, and we must not allow anyone to create chaos and anarchy,’ he added.
The meeting at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka was attended by Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Home Secretary Nasimul Gani, and the heads of Bangladesh Police, Border Guard Bangladesh, Rapid Action Battalion, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Coast Guard, and Special Branch.
Yunus emphasized that security agencies must leverage the latest communication tools to ensure swift intervention in any crisis. ‘A command centre or headquarters must be set up to coordinate effectively with the police and all security forces,’ he said.
The proposed command structure would ‘skillfully and intensively’ connect with all security agencies and police stations across the country, ensuring a faster response to security threats.
Professor Yunus also warned about the cronies of the ousted autocrat, Sheikh Hasina, accusing them of spending vast sums of money to create anarchy and spread disinformation. ‘We must stay alert and fight against the spread of disinformation at all costs,’ he urged.
He further stressed the importance of upholding human rights, especially for religious and ethnic minorities who have historically been victims of violence and persecution. ‘Our global image will suffer irreparably if we fail to protect our religious minorities,’ he noted, emphasizing the need for transparency in handling such issues.
Bangladesh has witnessed numerous instances of communal violence, particularly targeting Hindus, Buddhists, and indigenous communities. Attacks on temples, arson, and forced displacement have been reported in different parts of the country. Minority groups often face systematic discrimination, and during times of political instability, they become even more vulnerable to violence from extremist groups.
Yunus directed law enforcement agencies to take special measures to prevent attacks against minorities and ensure swift justice for victims. He underscored that minority communities should not live in fear and that perpetrators of violence should face the full force of the law.
Regarding the introduction of an online case filing system, the chief adviser suggested setting up a dedicated hotline, similar to 999, to allow complainants to file First Information Reports (FIRs) from anywhere in the country. ‘This system will eliminate the hassle and intimidation people often face when going to police stations to file cases,’ he said.
Additionally, he directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to establish a call centre where complainants could receive updates on their cases. ‘People who face difficulties in filing a case online can easily seek assistance from the call centre,’ he added.
Currently, individuals must visit the nearest police station in person to file an FIR, a process often riddled with bureaucratic inefficiencies and the potential for abuse and harassment.
Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam informed the meeting that 10 specialized police teams had been formed to monitor murder cases filed in connection with the July-August atrocities and killings carried out by Hasina’s security forces.
The chief adviser instructed the police to fast-track these cases and ensure that no innocent individuals were wrongfully harassed.
He also revealed that Bangladesh had formally requested Interpol to issue a Red Notice against Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5, 2024, amid mass uprisings.
Professor Yunus reiterated his commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly marginalized and vulnerable communities. ‘The rule of law must prevail, and no one should feel unprotected in their own country,’ he declared.
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