Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today (Tuesday) said the government has adopted a "zero tolerance" policy against terrorism, drugs, extortion and all forms of criminal activities to ensure public safety and maintain law and order across the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

"The government will continue its zero tolerance stance against terrorism, drugs and extortion. After years of disorder and criminalization, we are determined to restore discipline and the rule of law in the country," he said

Speaking to journalists after visiting the National Operation Monitoring Center at Bangladesh Police Headquarters in Dhaka, the minister said law enforcement agencies remain fully prepared and vigilant to maintain peace and stability nationwide.

The minister inspected the monitoring activities and provided directives to on-duty police officials.

He said the Central Monitoring Cell, which operates year-round, has been significantly strengthened from seven days before Eid until seven days after Eid to ensure uninterrupted surveillance and rapid response.

According to the minister, all major highways, cattle markets, the Jamuna Bridge, the Padma Bridge and all expressways have been brought under round-the-clock monitoring.

In areas without CCTV coverage, police personnel are being equipped with body-worn cameras to enhance surveillance and accountability, he said.

Referring to recent road accidents, the minister said the number of accidents this year is comparatively lower than previous years.

However, he blamed carelessness and risky travel practices for the few incidents that occurred, citing the recent accident involving roof passengers on a rod-laden truck in Naogaon.

He urged citizens to remain cautious and responsible while travelling during the Eid holidays.

On illegal cattle markets, the minister said the government is taking a strict stance to prevent unauthorized markets from operating.

He mentioned that an illegal cattle market set up beneath the metro rail line in Mirpur was shut down immediately.

He also said adequate counterfeit currency detection machines have been installed at cattle markets in coordination with Bangladesh Bank, commercial banks and the police to prevent the circulation of fake notes.

Commenting on recent attacks on police and RAB personnel in Narayanganj and Jangal Salimpur in Chattogram, the minister warned that the government would deal firmly with terrorists and criminal groups.

He said a coordinated operation had already dismantled attempts to create a "state within a state" in Jangal Salimpur, leading to the arrest of notorious criminals and the recovery of a large cache of weapons.

The minister also revealed plans to establish an integrated "security and administrative hub" in the area, including a police academy, RAB academy, police sports complex and prison facilities.

Responding to questions about long queues at the Jamuna Bridge toll plaza, the minister attributed the congestion to the manual toll collection system and said the government would recommend digital automation, including card-based automatic toll payments, to facilitate traffic flow.

Regarding allegations of drug trafficking operations using CCTV cameras and drones in Savar and attacks on journalists, the minister said three police members had already been closed over the incident.

He assured that strict legal action would be taken against those involved within the next 24 hours based on specific information from media personnel.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police Md Ali Hossain Fakir and other senior police officials were present at the briefing.