Monitor groups that may benefit from extremism
Government urged from discussion
The government should monitor local and international groups who may benefit from instability and extremism in Bangladesh, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.
Criticising the government's repeated claim that there is no existence of the Islamic State (IS) in Bangladesh, they said the government should handle the matter strictly.
“The culture of denial is not new in Bangladesh's politics. In 2005, BNP rejected the rise of militancy in the same way,” said Oikya Nap President Pankaj Bhattacharya, adding that Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) operated militant activities in the country at that time.
The discussion, “Militancy: Image of Bangladesh”, was organised by Sammilito Samajik Andolon at the Liberation War Museum in the capital.
In the space of five days, two foreigners were killed in the country.
However, Liberation War Museum trustee Dr Sarwar Ali said Bangladesh was safe.
“The country's growth is stable. My feeling is that both local and international evil forces are trying to damage the image of Bangladesh. It's part of a conspiracy,” he said.
Police will not be able to track down militants, said columnist Syed Abul Maksud.
“As a citizen, I request the government to form a high-power cell to monitor the activities of militants.”
In his concept paper, anti-militancy campaigner Ziauddin Tariq Ali said, "It is not true that there is no existence of militants in Bangladesh.”
He also demanded a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and likeminded political parties and groups.
The trial of war criminals and killers of free-thinkers should be finished and verdicts should be executed fast, he added.
He also urged the government to take with it small pro-Liberation War political parties and groups to combat militancy.
President of Sammilito Samajik Andolon Ajoy Roy presided over the discussion.