With the BNP hell-bent on continuing the nationwide blockade, the government plans to go tough to contain the ongoing hit-and-run attacks on people's life and property. The government is considering options such as giving law enforcers orders to shoot arsonists on sight, reward for giving information on troublemakers and filing lawsuits against the BNP chairperson for instigating violence. It want
s to muster public support by going tough on troublemakers, and make public life as much normal as possible to show that the BNP-led alliance's blockade has fizzled out. Speaking at an unscheduled discussion in parliament last night, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said those responsible for the killing of innocent people in the name of blockade would be tried for murder. She also announced giving rewards to those who would help arrest the arsonists. Meanwhile, home ministry sources said some tough decisions may come today at a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order. “A number of steps will be discussed there to protect people's life and property. The committee will decide on the issues tomorrow [today],” Md Mozammel Haq Khan, senior secretary at the home ministry, told The Daily Star at his office yesterday. Advertisement Mindless arson attacks and killings cannot continue. “The government will do whatever necessary to stop it,” he said. The special meeting has been convened against the backdrop of a spate of violence that left at least 26 people dead and several hundred injured since January 5. The committee is headed by Industries Minister and Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu, Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon, the inspector general of police, directors general of Rab and BGB, heads of all intelligence agencies and senior police officials are expected to attend today's meeting. At a meeting on Monday, the Core Committee comprising home ministry officials and heads of law enforcement and intelligence agencies discussed possible steps to contain violence. The government has already taken a hard line for tackling violence. Law enforcers have intensified drives to arrest attackers and increased their presence in different parts of the country. In the capital, a JCD leader and a Narail Jamaat-e-Islami leader were killed in separate “shootouts” with detectives in Khilgaon and Motijheel areas in the last two days. Their family members alleged that they had been murdered in a planned way. Speaking at separate programmes in the city yesterday, ministers and ruling party leaders stated that acts of violence would be dealt with an iron hand. At his Secretariat office, State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan told reporters that the government would reward those giving information which leads to arrest of arsonists. Social Welfare Minister Syed Mohsin Ali said, “We are going to decide on giving orders to shoot [arsonists] on sight as in wartime.” The government can no longer remain silent. “We will identify them and hand down punishment,” he said while visiting arson victims at the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital yesterday. At a press briefing at the Secretariat, the information minister hinted that murder cases might be filed against Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman for instigating violence. “Why can't they be sued for murdering people through instigation if a Wasa official can be sued for the death of a child who fell into a well shaft in the city? asked Inu. The administration is looking into the matter, he added. Addressing a peace rally at Gabtoli, AL leaders Mohammad Nasim, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya and Jahangir Kabir Nanak slated the BNP for the ongoing violence, and warned troublemakers of stern action. Nanak said the hands of those who indulged in arson attacks and vandalism would be crushed. Accusing Khaleda Zia of instigating violence, Maya demanded that the BNP chief be arrested. Meanwhile, police sources said a large number of plainclothes policemen have been deployed at many points in the city to catch arsonists. “More than 10,000 law enforcers, who had been busy providing security for Biswa Ijtema, are now tasked with checking arson attacks,” said a senior police official, seeking anonymity. “Our first target is to check attacks and ensure free movement of people. We are also working to arrest those involved in the recent arson attacks and killings.” All police stations in the capital have been asked to conduct drives to arrest suspected arsonists and attackers, said the official.
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