Ansars won't be granted power to arrest: home minister

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan today ruled out any chance to empower Ansar battalion members to make arrests.

"You have some misinformation and misconceptions. Your question is based on these misconceptions. The Ansar forces have never had the authority to make arrests, and they will not be granted such authority. By [existing] law, we do not have the authority to do so," said the home boss.

The minister made the statement today in response to a reporter's query after a law-and-order meeting held centring Victory Day at the Secretariat.

He emphasised that all law-and-order forces must operate within the boundaries of the Criminal Code of Procedure.

There is no room for actions beyond the existing legal framework, the minister said.

Regarding the "Ansar Battalion Bill-2023", which was proposed by Ansar forces on Monday and contained provisions for giving the battalion arrest and seizure powers, Asaduzzaman said it was currently under analysis and review.

The standing committee members will thoroughly examine the proposals, and if there is any such thing it will be addressed, he said.

He further said "misinformation" was circulating in various media outlets and the perception that Ansar forces were already given arrest powers was entirely "false".

The minister said both Ansar and police were integral members of the national law and order security forces. No one is above the basic rule of law, he added.

The "Ansar Battalion Bill-2023" was placed in parliament with the provisions that Ansar battalion will get powers to arrest offenders, frisk detainees, and seize goods. The proposed law stipulates that death penalty will be the maximum punishment for committing mutiny and provoking rebellion in Ansar.

On Sunday, a day before the bill was placed, top police officials, including the leaders of Bangladesh Police Service Association, opposed the decision to provide arrest authority to Ansar. The officials held meeting on Sunday with the home minister and express their concern.

Even the top police officials held another meeting yesterday with the home minister opposing the bill.