National

Militants to be eliminated with iron hand: IGP

The law enforcement agencies have been instructed to eliminate militants, terrorists and the neo-Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh along with their networks with an iron hand in the country.

"We have already identified masterminds of militants and their networks alongside the neo-JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh). The law enforcement agencies are working to arrest militants and their close associates," Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque told BSS today.

Ruling out the presence of Islamic State (IS) in the country, Hoque clarified that there was no evidence and existence of the militant outfit here.

He said homegrown militants have been carrying out terrorists activities in the country but they could not spread due to zero tolerance policy of the government against militancy.

"The government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to root out terrorism and militancy from the country alongside preventing other crimes with sincere efforts," the IGP said.

He said the government has undertaken various measures to ensure security of the common people and foreign nationals, adding, "We have taken special measures for ensuring security in the diplomatic zone."

Terrorism and militancy have become a global issue but the police are closely working to eliminate extremism and terrorism following the government`s "zero tolerance" policy against all forms of terrorism and extremism, Hoque added.

Referring to government`s stern actions against militancy and terrorism,the IGP said different quarters are patronizing militancy to weaken the government.

AKM Shahidul Hoque also made it clear that the law enforcement agencies have not found any evidence of links between the home-grown militants and the IS.

Source: BSS