Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has instructed police to use intelligence information to bring what he described as “fascist associates” of the banned Awami League under the law. He also announced rewards for those who play a role in arresting such individuals.

He made the announcement while addressing the Police Week 2026 medal award ceremony as the chief guest at 11 a.m. on Saturday (September 26).

The Home Minister said those who succeed in bringing associates of what he described as the “fascist” and Awami League forces under the law would be rewarded. He said two such individuals had been arrested last week and another was arrested on Friday.

Urging police to make effective use of intelligence capabilities, he questioned why individuals who had allegedly been hiding for so long had not been detected earlier. He said he considers police intelligence support highly effective and instructed officers to use it properly.

The minister also said legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to create instability in the country.

Referring to killings and other incidents, he said, citing United Nations figures, that around 1,400 people in Bangladesh had been killed in a single month. He also referred to various figures concerning extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and deaths in custody over the past 17 years.

On the issue of bringing back former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and other convicted fugitives, Salahuddin said Bangladesh had officially requested the neighbouring country to return them under the extradition treaty.

He said if the accused voluntarily return to Bangladesh and face the law, the legal process will proceed according to the law.

At the ceremony, the Home Minister awarded Bangladesh Police Medal (BPM) and President’s Police Medal (PPM) to 98 police personnel.

Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manzur Morshed Chowdhury, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md Ali Hossain Fakir and senior police officials were present at the event.