Responding to a blistering attack by AL legislator Suranjit Sengupta that there are militants within the government, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed denied the allegation.

"It is not true. There is no militant element in the government, but (they are) in the country," the minister told reporters after the meeting.

At the meeting, Suranjit pointed finger at the Jamaat-e-Islami and said, "A part of the government does not believe in the country's existing rule of law. They want to establish the rule of Islam."

Later, he told Journalists, "The government allowed the rise of militants without taking any sincere steps to root out those elements ... Providing gunman will not bring desired results unless the militant groups in the country are uprooted."

The parliamentary standing committee on law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry discussed for about two hours the attacks on judges of lower courts across the country, and suggested initiating specific and pragmatic measures in tackling militancy.

"We have to tackle militancy together. Bold and clear steps should be taken against militancy," Chairman of the committee Khandakar Mahbubuddin Ahmed told the meeting, sources said.

The parliamentary body however decided to invite the representatives of Bangladesh Judicial Service Association at its next meeting to seek their suggestions to ensure security on court premises.

At the beginning of the meeting held at the Jatiya Sangsad, Sutanjit blamed the BNP-Jamaat-led alliance government for 'indifference' to combating militancy.

Ruling alliance lawmakers said militancy is a national problem and sought cooperation of all in resolving this problem.

On the security of judges, the law minister said the government has already provided necessary security to the judges. "If necessary, we will step up their security," he told journalists after the meeting.