No place for AL politics
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Friday accused the banned Awami League of attempting to destabilise Bangladesh from abroad, asserting that the party had lost its political legitimacy and would not be allowed to regain a foothold in the country’s political landscape.
Speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of the Cox’s Bazar Medical College Hospital building, Salahuddin dismissed recent remarks attributed to ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, saying the government no longer attached importance to such statements.
“What Hasina? Where did she speak? Has anyone even seen her? From time to time, only some voices are heard. They are trying to see whether they can create instability in Bangladesh.
But the people of Bangladesh will never accept that,” he said.
The minister alleged that those responsible for “genocide and crimes against humanity” had shown no remorse or sought forgiveness from the people.
“They have no right to engage in politics in this country.
The people of Bangladesh will never allow them to do politics here,” he said, adding that although statements may occasionally be made from abroad, the government no longer considers them significant.
Responding to a question on a recent rise in abduction incidents, Salahuddin said the government would request the Bangladesh Army to establish camps in areas where they are considered necessary to help curb such crimes.
“The general officer commanding (GOC) will assess the situation. We have requested him to consider the matter, and the government will also ask the army to set up camps where necessary.
We hope this will effectively suppress or significantly reduce heinous crimes such as abduction,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the home minister visited the Cox’s Bazar Development Authority (CoxDA), where he held a meeting with officials and called for sustainable tourism development while protecting the district’s natural environment.
He said Cox’s Bazar’s economic potential extends well beyond tourism, pointing to marine resources, the deep-sea port and other natural assets that could generate substantial revenue if utilised effectively.
Salahuddin also said approval had been granted for offshore gas exploration and that the government was working to expand the blue economy while establishing a marine science university in Cox’s Bazar to promote ocean-based research.
Addressing the inauguration of the CoxDA Swapnachura Residential Project, he said the government aims to strengthen the country’s economy for future generations by harnessing the district’s natural resources.
“We have discovered the potential of these resources. Nature has provided them, and it is our responsibility to realise that potential.
This is our plan, and we will implement the plan envisioned by Tarique Rahman, Inshallah. We need everyone’s cooperation to achieve it,” he said.
The minister also urged officials to pursue environmentally sustainable tourism development, saying infrastructure should be developed without damaging the natural landscape.
“Tourism cannot thrive simply by constructing high-rise buildings. Development must preserve the natural environment. The sea beach will be made more attractive, and the entire 100-kilometre coastline should be utilised to draw both local and foreign tourists,” he said.
