Weak interim govt failed to stop mob violence: Home Minister

The interim government failed to control mob violence due to its weakness, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said. However, since the current elected government took office, there have been no major mob incidents except for a few isolated cases. The government does not condone any form of mob rule or disorder.

The home minister made these remarks during a meeting with French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Chérêt-Scharlé at the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Secretariat on Sunday, March 29.

The meeting discussed issues of mutual interest, including law and order, mob control, counter-terrorism, police reform and capacity building, RAB reform and restructuring, forensic cooperation, mutual legal assistance agreements, and identifying new areas of cooperation.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the current government's highest priority is improving the country's law and order situation. The government is working on short, medium and long-term plans to restore the lost image and enhance the capacity of police and other law enforcement agencies. As part of this, French cooperation has been sought to reform and strengthen police capacity.

"We are working on police reform with utmost importance. However, this development cannot happen overnight. Through continuous and phased improvements, we want to build a people-friendly police force," the home minister said.

Regarding RAB reform, the minister said an elite force is necessary in any state structure. The force will be effectively maintained by modifying its name and utilising existing manpower and logistics through legal review.

The French ambassador said France wants to elevate bilateral relations with Bangladesh to new heights. He expressed hope that identifying new areas of cooperation would further strengthen ties. He also informed that France has already taken steps to assist in enhancing the capacity of the CID's forensic lab.

The home minister requested technical cooperation from France to enhance the capacity of the Anti-Riot Troop. He instructed the police's Anti-Terrorism Unit and DMP's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit to meet with the French embassy to take effective steps. The minister also informed the ambassador that the Ministry of Home Affairs had approved and issued letters granting permission for meetings requested by the French embassy with the IGP, BGB, Coast Guard and Ansar Director General.