Staff Reporter :The United States wants to see Bangladesh government take every possible step to protect its citizens, said Mark C Toner, Deputy Spokesman for US State Department. “We’ve seen several murders, brutal murders, over the past several weeks. And we want to see the government there take every possible step to protect its citizens,” he told journalists at a daily briefing on Friday.When a reporter said that: “Islamic State and Taliban” claimed responsibilities for the recent attacks, Toner said, “I’m aware of some of these claims, and – it’s a very complex situation on the ground.””Look, I mean, what we’re asking for is that the government conduct, as I said, an investigation into these attacks, these brutal attacks and these brutal murders, that identifies who the perpetrators are. I don’t think we can say with certainty – I mean, as you said, there’s been various claims of responsibility,” the spokesman said. He further said: “We have no reason to – not to believe those claims of responsibility. But what is clear is that there is a threat on the ground. “Asked about US Secretary of State John Kerry’s call to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Toner said, “Well, I know that he offered US support for the ongoing investigation into these recent attacks, certainly the one that killed our own employee and human rights advocate, as well as his friend and colleague earlier this week.””And the secretary urged the Prime Minister to ensure a thorough investigation into these and other attacks, recent attacks, and to redouble efforts by law enforcement to protect these individuals who, we believe, are at risk,” the spokesman said.
