UK worried at radicalisation of youths
UK Minister for Security and Counter-Terrorism Lord West said yesterday that the United Kingdom is very concerned about the radicalisation of young vulnerable people in countries like Bangladesh.
"Sometimes, it seems the al-Qaeda's message attracts the young, which actually is very damaging," Lord West, also a former admiral of British Navy, made the observation to the reporters while visiting the police headquarters in the capital.
Emphasising on education, Lord West said, "There is no doubt illiterate people are most vulnerable to committing terrorism activities."
Stressing the need for community policing to stop terrorism, he said, "We can't eradicate extreme terrorism by arresting people… way to find for stopping people to be radicalised."
The community policing could help to eradicate extreme terrorism, he added.
UK minister hoped that the UK and Bangladesh would work together in counter-terrorism as Bangladesh and UK both are victims of terrorism.
He said counter-terrorism is an international phenomenon. "We need to work internationally, and with many nations bilaterally, to stop happening of terrorism."
About Saturday's attack in Savar, he said this has made him worried as is the problem of terrorism.
Asked about any direct financial support from the UK, the minister informed that they spend some 15 million pounds a year for the police reform programme in Bangladesh because they believe it is very important in terms of bilateral support.
While visiting the anti-cyber crime workshop in the police headquarters, he emphasised on an IT-based police force in responding to terrorism.
Lord West's visit follows the announcement by former British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, during her visit to Bangladesh in April 2008, that the UK and Bangladesh would form a 'Joint Working Group' to implement closer anti-terrorism operations.
Additional Inspector General (Admin) Naba Bikram Kishore Tripura and British High Commissioner Stephan Evans were, among others, present at the press briefing.
Meanwhile, UK-Bangladesh Joint Working Group sat in a meeting in Dhaka yesterday to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud and UK Minister Lord West were leading the teams on behalf of their respective countries at the state guesthouse Meghna.
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