Published : 04 Sep 2026, 12:59 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:47 AM
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed says the government is satisfied with the state of Bangladesh’s law and order situation, rejecting suggestions that crime has worsened.
He acknowledged that more time would be needed to bring the situation in line with public expectations, but insisted official figures showed an improvement from last year.
Salahuddin made the remarks on Thursday while answering questions from journalists at a press conference on the Tabligh Jamaat’s Bishwa Ijtema at the home ministry.
Asked about what a journalist described as a recent deterioration in law and order, he replied: “Our data does not say that.”
The minister said Police Headquarters compiles district-level statistics on murder, abduction, rape, violence against women, firearms offences and other crimes, adding that he had presented the figures in parliament.
“Compared with 2025, our law and order situation is much better,” he said. “We have assessed it through the numbers. This is our source — the government source. You can verify it.”
A journalist then said murders had increased and that one of the prime minister’s advisors had also acknowledged the rise.
“I did not say that,” Salahuddin replied.
“If we compare the figures historically with previous years, the data show that the law and order situation has improved by every standard and every measure.”
Asked whether he was satisfied with the situation, the minister said: “It will take more time to improve law and order to the level people expect. But we are satisfied with the current picture.”
Another journalist said the prime minister’s information advisor had cited Police Headquarters data while acknowledging an increase in crime and had provided reporters with a document containing the figures.
Salahuddin asked to see the document.
“Give us that document so we can verify the information,” he said. “Please do not create a contradiction here. I do not have information about what another advisor has said.”
He said he would comment only on police data, evidence, and official records.
“You can verify the data. If there is any discrepancy or incorrect information in the figures from any district, you can raise it. We are very transparent.”
Salahuddin invited journalists to examine the records at Police Headquarters and check how crime data were collected from districts.
“I am not willing to comment on what has been published in newspapers or what someone else has reported,” he said.
