'Jungle Salimpur Can No Longer Remain a Safe Haven for Terrorist Groups'

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday declared that Jungle Salimpur will no longer remain a safe haven for criminal and terrorist groups, revealing that those behind last week's attack on and demolition of newly established RAB and police camps there have already been identified.

“Those who dared to challenge the authority of the state by destroying law enforcement camps have been identified. Jungle Salimpur can no longer remain a safe haven for isolated terrorist groups,” the Home Minister told reporters after visiting the Alinagar area of Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila of the district in the morning.

The high-profile ministerial visit came exactly a week after a gang of armed criminals launched a brazen attack and bulldozed newly built camps of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police in the early hours of May 25.

The minister said the government has already prepared a comprehensive list of illegal occupiers in the area. 

At the same time, he assured long-time, genuine residents that they will not face eviction, urging them to immediately inform law enforcement agencies if anyone attempts to spread panic regarding possible eviction. 

He vowed that Jungle Salimpur will be freed from terrorism through planned and coordinated operations. 

“For the past 17 years, the Alinagar-Jungle Salimpur area has been known as a safe haven for criminals. We will eliminate terrorism from this area through joint operations,” he said, adding that similar drives will also be conducted in the nearby Betua and Tea Garden areas to completely annihilate terrorist activities.

Highlighting the interim administration's key priorities, Salahuddin Ahmed noted that restoring law and order has been given the top importance since the government took office following the February general elections. 

“The government has a comprehensive master plan for Jungle Salimpur. The long-pending issue of relocating the central jail will be resolved soon, and necessary steps will be taken promptly,” the minister remarked.

Turning his attention to wider domestic issues like drugs, terrorism, gambling, and extortion activities across the country, he warned that strict action will be taken against these major crimes. 

Talking about the limitations in existing gambling laws, Salahuddin stated that the ancient Gambling Act of 1867 is entirely inadequate to regulate modern online and offline gambling and betting activities. 

“A new law is being drafted and we will try to introduce the necessary legal reforms in the next parliamentary session,” he announced.

On narcotics control, the minister said the government plans to amend existing laws and establish special tribunals to ensure the speedy disposal of drug-related cases. 

“Thousands of drug cases have remained pending for years. A new legal framework will help expedite their disposal,” he added.

Expressing deep concern over the growing activities of teen gangs, the Home Minister said many adolescents are exploiting loopholes in existing laws and later becoming involved in organised crime. 

Salahuddin stressed the need for legal reforms to address juvenile delinquency and said the government will pursue coordinated initiatives, legal changes, and targeted operations to free the country from drugs, terrorism, gambling, and extortion.

Meanwhile, strict security measures were in place throughout the 3,100-acre Jungle Salimpur area for the minister’s visit. Members of the police, RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Armed Police Battalion (APBn) were deployed at key points, while additional security personnel were stationed across the hilly and remote settlements. 

Salahuddin arrived in Alinagar around 10:30 am and later held a closed-door meeting with top law enforcement and administrative officials. 

He also announced that the government has a plan to significantly improve road connectivity linking the area with Sitakunda, Chattogram city, and Hathazari.