International issues causing rising militancy in Bangladesh: DMP commissioner

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Shafiqul Islam has said no internal issues but various international incidences such as the Afghan war, Iraq war, and the formation of the Islamic state (IS) play a role in the emergence of militancy in Bangladesh.

"In the context of militancy in the country, militancy has not risen here due to any internal reasons," he said, addressing the 5th founding anniversary programme of the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) of police in the capital on Monday.

He said, "First the Afghan war, then the Iraq war and the formation of IS, helped the uprising of militancy in our country."

"However, we faced everything and restrained the uprising of militancy," the DMP chief went on to say.

Noting that militancy often surfaces ahead of national elections that are usually every five years, Shafiqul Islam said, "As various political activities take place centering the parliamentary elections, police remain busy to prevent possible untoward incidents in the political arena."

He asked the police force to be alert about the rise of militancy alongside discharging duties at election oriented political events.

The DMP commissioner also pointed out that militancy is born of anger and deprivation. "The sooner this anger can be quelled, the sooner it will be curbed," he added.

Recalling that since childhood he has been hearing about Palestinians who are being killed in their home country, he said, "Anger about such repression creates a favourable atmosphere for militant uprisings in the long run."