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Published : 29 Mar 2026, 09:46 PM
Salahuddin Ahmed has claimed that the interim government failed to control "mob violence" due to its “weakness”, asserting that the elected administration has largely restored law and order.
The home minister made the remark on Sunday during a courtesy meeting with French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
During the roughly 18-month tenure of Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, widespread “mob” incidents occurred, including killings, shrine vandalism, exhumation and burning of corpses, disruption of football and cultural events, and destruction at Bangabandhu’s residence in Dhanmondi 32.
Offices of media outlets such as The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, along with Chhayanaut and Udichi Shilpigosthi, were also attacked and set ablaze following the election schedule announcement.
“Due to the interim government’s weakness, they could not control mob violence,” Salahuddin said.
“Since the elected government took office, only isolated incidents have occurred. The administration does not condone mob activity or disorder.”
He added that political parties can express democratic views and hold gatherings without causing public hardship, and highlighted ongoing police reform.
“We aim to build a people-friendly police force through sustained, step-by-step improvements; this cannot happen overnight.”
On reforms of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), he said: “Every state requires an elite force. Through renaming, proper utilisation of personnel and logistics, and legal review, we are strengthening the RAB’s effectiveness.”
The minister also discussed France’s technical assistance to enhance riot prevention capabilities and strengthen anti-terrorism units within the police and RAB, as well as cooperation in forensic labs, transnational crime, and legal aid.
Ambassador Séré-Charlet expressed France’s commitment to elevating bilateral ties, including support for CID forensic lab capacity building, and optimism that newly identified areas of cooperation will strengthen Bangladesh–France relations.
