Bangladesh requests Interpol to issue red notice on ex-PM Hasina

The chief advisor also asks law-enforcing agencies to intensively monitor law and order

Bangladesh has requested the Interpol to issue a red notice on deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina who has been living in India since she was overthrown in the August uprising.

Police chief Baharul Alam disclosed the information at a high-level meeting with security chiefs, presided over by interim government head Muhammad Yunus, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday, the Chief Advisor’s Office said in a statement.

"We've made a request. We hope we will get some response soon," he said.

Baharul said police have set up 10 teams to monitor the murder cases filed over the atrocities and killings by Hasina's security forces during July and August.

Yunus directed police to fast-track these cases and to make sure that no innocent people are harassed by these cases, the statement read.

He also asked police and the law-enforcing agencies to create a command centre to intensively monitor law and order situation in the country.

The assembly was also attended by Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Special Assistant to Chief Advisor Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Home Secretary Nasimul Gani, and chiefs of police, BGB, RAB, DMP, Coast Guard and Special Branch.

Yunus said the security agencies must make maximum use of the latest communication tools to make sure they can quickly intervene in a situation.

"We have to set up a command center or a command headquarters, which will coordinate among all the police and security agencies," he told senior security officials.

The chief advisor said the new command structure would "skillfully and intensively" communicate among all agencies, police stations across the country and all law-enforcing authorities.

He ordered the security chiefs to stay vigilant against any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation in Bangladesh.

"We have to be as alert as if we were in a war-like situation. This year is a very critical year for the country. We must not allow anyone to create chaos and anarchy," he said.

The advisor said the cronies of Hasina were spending a huge amount of money to attempt to foment anarchy and spread disinformation.

"We must stay vigilant. Everyone should fight against this disinformation menace," he said.

He ordered the security chiefs to protect the human rights of every citizen and take special measures to thwart any attacks on the religious or ethnic minorities.

"Our global image will be badly damaged if we can't protect our religious minorities. We will also have to be very transparent in this regard," he said.

The chief advisor also ordered police to launch a crackdown on extortionists in an effort to keep prices of food and essential commodities stable during Ramadan.