If there wasn't extremism, there wouldn't be red alerts, says Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman

The government is taking measures to mitigate the risks of extremism, the advisor says

“Since the red alert is still in place, it means something is still there,” Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman has said, referring to the threat of extremism.

“The honourable home minister has also said that some form of extremism exists,” he said on Tuesday morning while responding to journalists’ questions at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.

“Meaning, he did not want to use the word militancy. In fact, what I said is not very different from his statement. So, whether you call it militancy or extremism… there is some low-intensity presence.”

He said, “Otherwise, we would not have issued this red alert. It exists. The home minister has also acknowledged it. There has been a lot of cartoons and criticism…. Since the red alert is still in place, you have to understand that in incidents like this, the government will not always publicly disclose everything.”

The advisor said, “The government is taking measures regarding these risks, and I personally know this. When arrests are made or any such incident occurs that the government feels should be disclosed, you will be informed at the appropriate time.”

“I can say this much - the risk that was mentioned earlier is certainly much lower now… that risk is decreasing. But these things are very sensitive, and that is why the alert remains in place. I do not think it will continue for very long.”

Regarding militancy in the country, he said: “I made a statement about whether militants exist or not… and almost at the same time, or a little later, the honourable home minister said there are no militants in the country. If you read carefully, there was not much difference between my statement and his. That is the main point.”

‘‘These days we make photo cards, actually. I said that (the threat of) militancy had been exaggerated. During the Awami League era, they used the idea to make a narrative to remain in power. Again, some people say there is absolutely nothing like that (militancy) in our country. Both statements are wrong.”