Combating extremism

A recently organised seminar by this paper titled "Extremism and Challenges for Bangladesh" brought together security analysts, researchers and leading editors to discuss ways and means to tackle the threat extremism poses to the country. 

What is evident from the recent spate of killings of, first, a number of bloggers, and now, two foreigners, and the statements made by law enforcers thereafter is that there needs to be greater coordination among the police forces and intelligence agencies. 

Although we are still unsure about who was behind these attacks, it is imperative that we neither overplay nor underplay the gravity of the situation. That militancy exists in the country cannot be denied; what is not established is whether the recent attacks are part of a greater campaign by an organised extremist outfit.

Many experts believe that tackling extremist groups requires a specialised approach and cannot be handled by the police alone. It requires greater cooperation among all law enforcement agencies and the intelligence apparatus of the state. Enforcers need better equipment, specialised training in counter-terrorism and the creation of a branch that will be dedicated to tackling the threat posed by terrorism and terrorists. An apex body, whose primary focus will be to gather and analyse information pertaining to extremists, their activities and passing those on to other relevant branches of security forces for action, may be set up. There must be dissemination of information, and non-state actors like the media have to be made partners for informing and educating the public against radical elements.