Sagar Biswas :Recent alert message of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, in the wake of back-to-back terror attacks at Gulshan and Sholakia, has sent a wave of uneasiness among the ministers, lawmakers and leaders of the ruling Awami League. Despite security provided by the gunmen and police escorts, several ministers have reportedly cancelled their tours outside Dhaka fearing possible militant attacks.Especially, the latest apprehension expressed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about further possible terror attack has made the situation highly tensed. Besides, the remarks of AL General Secretary and Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam have intensified the level of apprehension. In his speech given on Tuesday Syed Ashraf expressed doubt over possible repetition of ’75-like incident.In this situation, some ministers said they have decided not to meet even party workers at their residences and offices till their identities are confirmed.”Any incident can take place at anytime. They [militants] are suicidal….however, I’m staying alert personally. We’re working taking the risk factor under consideration,” Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Hoque said on Thursday night. When asked about his condition after DMP alert, Food Minister Qamrul Islam, however, expressed severe annoyance saying that the matter should be known better to the newsmen. In the meanwhile, the lawmakers and senior ruling party leaders have reportedly sought additional security for them, though most of them are now sitting idle in the capital. Whereas, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently directed them to go to their own constituencies to build up public opinion against militancy.Local sources said, the anti-militancy and terrorism committees have yet not formed in many districts. In some districts, the AL-led 14-party alliance is arranging the anti-militancy meetings allegedly in an unplanned way. Following terror attacks, the PM issued directives to form such committees from union to district level within July 21 [yesterday]. Interestingly, the committees were also not formed in several thanas even in capital city Dhaka till yesterday evening. The situation is also same in the ruling party’s constituencies, where majority number of MPs did not go to their own areas till the date.”We’ve yet not able to form all the committees within the timeframe. But we’re trying our best. It’s a task of 14-party alliance, we’re just cooperating. Hope, we’ll be able to complete the committees within a short time. So far as I know, the clerics and Islamic scholars have extended their cooperation in this regard,” Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Hoque further said.Referring to the Holey Artisan Bakery attack, spokesman of 14-party alliance and Health Minister Mohammad Nasim yesterday said: “Do you think they [militants] are human being? In which religion says to kill the unarmed men? The killers have no religion… They believe in religion of slaughtering.” On the other hand, the civil administration is very much active in curbing the militant activities. The local administration and law enforcement agencies are conducting anti-militant drives round-the-clock in different parts of the country. On Monday last, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia sent text messages to the ministers urging them to move cautiously as militant groups may launch an attack anytime.In this backdrop, Leader of Opposition Raushon Ershad and two other MPs — Kazi Firoz Rashid and Jasod’s Moin Uddin Khan Badal on Wednesday sought armed protection. “Ministers were cautioned by the DMP. They have gunmen, and sentries are posted at their residences. Protection is given to them in their vehicles. But where is our safety?” Kazi Firoz Rashid said told the parliament raising a question.Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Haque said yesterday, “Israeli secret intelligence service Mosad is hatching conspiracy to destroy Islam – the religion of peace.”
