Only criminals being held: Home minister

Not BNP leaders and activists, but only criminals are being arrested, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said today, refuting claims that police are targeting opposition political activists.

In a reply to a query regarding BNP’s claim about ongoing arrest of party men, the minister said: “Police are arresting those who create chaos and anarchy with significant proof”.

“There is no political matter involved here. We are arresting criminals. Those who are involved with vandalism, who were going to snatch rifles from police, who were trying to snatch criminals from police van. We are trying to arrest those after locating them through video footages,” he said. 

The minister made the remarks after inaugurating the Passport Service Week at the city’s Bangabandhu International Convention Centre today around 1:30pm.

“You have seen them snatching away accused from the prison van. In 2014, you have also seen how they have killed police in Rajshahi. Just similar incidents are happening now”, the minister added.