Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman affirmed on Sunday that the administration is entirely devoid of retributive ambitions and harbors no intention of pursuing vindictive policies moving forward.

“We have not become vengeful, nor do we want to be,” he stated during an interactive session focused on maintaining public order, curbing corruption, preventing narcotics, establishing good governance, and ensuring administrative accountability at the Satkhira Deputy Commissioner’s office.

Addressing inquiries posed by local media representatives, the law minister noted that the police force had historically been deployed to instigate politically motivated legal actions.

“There is not a single example of the police filing politically motivated cases after Aug 5,” he asserted.

He elaborated that while law enforcement personnel cannot lawfully decline to record a formal complaint submitted by an aggrieved citizen, they are bound by duty to thoroughly investigate all brought allegations.

“We have reached a position of balance. There are no more false ‘ghost’ cases like before,” he observed.

Asaduzzaman criticized the prior instrumentalization of law enforcement, remarking that the police force had previously been reduced to an apparatus of partisan servitude.

“After August 2024, we had to give the police mental strength and courage. They are now trying to work impartially and continuing their efforts,” he explained.

Shifting focus to narcotics enforcement, the minister pointed out that illicit drug trafficking is not driven exclusively by domestic actors within Bangladesh, as large contraband consignments continue flowing across borders from a neighboring state.

Addressing the broader dimensions of graft, he remarked, “Financial corruption is one thing. Another is intellectual corruption, when someone sitting in a position of authority thinks about how to harm people instead of ensuring justice.”

“We must stop both forms of corruption,” he emphasized.

The minister reiterated that the government remains steadfast in executing its duties under the strategic direction of the prime minister to guarantee robust governance for the citizenry.

“We are speaking out against drugs as well as political thuggery,” he added.

The consultative meeting drew participation from local Members of Parliament, the district council administrator, the deputy commissioner, senior law enforcement officials, political figures, and prominent community members.

Attendees engaged in a comprehensive dialogue addressing various local challenges and developmental prospects concerning the district.

Wrapping up his itinerary, the minister is slated to participate in a special conference with party leaders and grassroots activists at the district Shilpakala Academy during Sunday afternoon.

With Inputs from UNB