The chief of Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime of Dhaka Metropolitan Police Monirul Islam has said the risk of militancy has decreased in Bangladesh compared to other countries in the world but the risk still exists.
He made the observation while speaking at a press conference organised at DMP Media Centre on Saturday (Oct 19) to inform journalists of the details of ‘Dhaka Peace Talks’.
Center for Social Advocacy and Research Foundation (CSARF) is organising the Peace Talks with the financial assistance of USAID.
Monirul Islam said some the militants detained recently were involved in militancy for long while some others were new recruits.
Describing terrorism as a global phenomenon, he said Bangladesh faced the risk of terrorism at different points of time though the country is secular in nature.
“Anti-extremism activities require long time to be successful. Apart from police, family, civil society need to take collective efforts in this regard,” he said.
The police officer said Peace Talks will be held in other parts of the country if the talks in Dhaka are successful.
Describing the process of the Peace Talks, CSARF chief Shabnam Azim, also a Dhaka University associate professor, said a panel comprising 26 eminent citizens will be formed at first.
Later students, their guardians, community representatives, educationists, government officials, public representatives, women leaders, representatives from international NGOs, think-tanks, civil society organisations, law enforce agencies, judiciary, religious institution, mass media and small ethnic groups, youths, writers and bloggers will take in dialogues on 12 issues.