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Friday | October 30, 2026 | Dhaka

‘No custodial deaths since govt took office’

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:04 AM, 30 October 2026

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has claimed that no extrajudicial killings, bomb attacks or deaths in police custody have occurred since the present government took office, saying the overall law and order situation has improved.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists after the passing-out parade of the 27th trainee sergeant batch and the 43rd cadet sub-inspector batch of 2006 at the Bangladesh Police Academy in Sardah, Rajshahi, on Thursday.

The minister said the government was working to restore the morale and discipline of the police force while improving its manpower, transport and logistical facilities.

Recruitment of additional superintendents of police, sub-inspectors, assistant sub-inspectors and constables was under way, he said.

Salahuddin claimed that police had been identifying and arresting suspects and investigating crimes effectively, although occasional exceptions could occur.

The government had also introduced a system of rewards and punishments to maintain discipline within the force, he added.

“We are committed to establishing the rule of law,” the minister said, warning that police officers involved in crimes, corruption or disciplinary violations would face departmental action.

Asked about the arrest and remand of Nuruzzaman Mintu, son of Natore-4 lawmaker Abdul Aziz, in connection with the murder of Chhatra Dal leader Shakil Islam in Natore, the minister said the government would not protect anyone because of their family or political connections.

“Whoever’s son he may be, even if he is the son of a member of parliament, he has been accused, arrested and taken on remand. No one has been spared,” he said.

Mintu, a joint convener of Gurudaspur upazila Juba Dal, was arrested after Shakil, 23, died following 12 days of treatment for injuries sustained in an attack in Gurudaspur.

Asked about the possible motive behind the death of former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant KM Tahsif Souri, whose body was recovered from the Turag River, Salahuddin declined to comment until the post-mortem examination and preliminary investigation were complete.

He said a video posted by Tahsif about former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country might have created hostility towards him, but stressed that the matter needed to be investigated.

“Some people are suggesting that an intelligence agency of a neighbouring country was involved. I will speak after knowing all the facts,” he said.

The minister also dismissed speculation that the Awami League could return to politics in December, saying the party was banned and the government was committed to enforcing the law.

Accusing the party of authoritarianism, he said it had not apologised for the killings during the July uprising.

Referring to the United Nations’ estimate that more than 1,400 people were killed, Salahuddin said the government’s estimate was over 2,000.

On the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the minister described it as stable and peaceful, saying law enforcement agencies, including the army, were working to maintain peace.

He also said he had received reports that around 30% of votes had been cast in the Thakurgaon election and that voting was proceeding peacefully. The government wanted voters to exercise their rights freely and safely, he added.