Security situation normal in Bangladesh, PM Hasina says after killings of three in a week

While the BNP claims the country is in ‘danger’ in the wake of the murders of a number of writers, a publisher and online activists by suspected militants over the past one year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says the situation is ‘normal’.

The head of the government made the remark in Parliament on Wednesday after the murders of a university teacher, an LGBT rights activist and his theatre activist friend this week.

International radical group Islamic State claimed Saturday’s murder of Rajshahi University professor AFM Rezaul Karium Siddiquee in Rajshahi while al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent took credit for Monday’s murders of gay-rights activist Xulhaz Mannan and his friend Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy in Dhaka.

The government and police have denied the claims, saying no international militant group exists in Bangladesh.

Responding to a question from ruling Awami League MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed on the government’s steps to prevent militancy, the prime minister said, “Law and order is normal due to the steps taken by the government. People are getting justice.”

“The actions of the law-enforcing agencies have made it possible to control terrorism and militancy,” she said and added foreign investment has increased because of this reason.

Questions and answers in Parliament sessions are submitted before the sessions. The MPs and ministers only present them during the sessions.

After writer-blogger Avijit Roy had been hacked to death in February last year, online activist Oyasiqur Rahman Babu, bloggers Niladri Chatterjee Niloy, Ananta Bijoy Das, and Avijit’s publisher Faisal Arefin Dipan were killed in a similar fashion.

Earlier in April this year, online activist Nazimuddin Samad was murdered in Dhaka. Prof Siddiquee was killed near his house in Rajshahi City while Mannan was killed in his flat in Dhaka along with Tonoy. All were hacked to death.

Two foreigners, Christian priests and converts, a Hindu priest and devotees, Shias and Ahmadiyyas also came under fatal attacks last year.

Police suspect involvement of local militants in these murders, but investigation is yet to be completed in any of these incidents, leading the trials to a logjam.

The prime minister hailed the police and other law-enforcing agencies in Parliament for ‘successes in solving recent terrorist attacks in different parts of the country’.

“Intelligence activities related to movement of persons who were reportedly involved in militancy, terrorism and sabotage are under way,” she said.

“Legal steps are being taken to prevent activities of all criminals, including militants and terrorists, by identifying their financiers and source of money,” she added.

Hasina also said all the law-enforcing agencies have been asked to bring the militants, saboteurs and their instigators to book.