No rise in extremism likely across Bangladesh, monitoring continues, says CTTC chief

He says continuous monitoring has found no cause for alarm

Bangladesh is not showing any alarming signs of a resurgence of extremism, according to the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

Authorities, however, are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of potential extremist activities through online monitoring, social media, intelligence inputs, and their own database, said CTTC chief and DMP Additional Police Commissioner Mohammad Shamsul Haque on Monday.

Asked whether extremist activity had increased after recent explosions in several places, including Keraniganj, and the recovery of a bomb-like object inside an umbrella in Motijheel, he said police were not seeing any worrying situation at present.

"We are regularly monitoring extremist activities. Whenever we receive any information or reports, we take immediate action.”

Asked whether extremism was making a comeback, he said: "It is too early to make such an assessment. However, we are not seeing any alarming signs within the country."

On the bomb-like object recovered in Motijheel, the CTTC chief said police rushed to the spot after receiving the report and deployed the bomb disposal unit.

“The Motijheel Division is now investigating the incident. It would not be appropriate to comment on who may have been involved or what their motive was before the investigation is completed,” he said.

On terrorism-related cases, Shamsul said detailed arrest figures would be given later.

He added that seven people had been arrested in the widely discussed “Pata Combat” case.

Investigators had identified several more suspects, against whom formal cases had been filed.

The main suspect has also given a confessional statement before the court.

The CTTC chief said technology-based surveillance, intelligence gathering and operations to prevent possible extremist activity would continue as before.