No IS here

There is no existence of terrorist organisation IS in Bangladesh as intelligence agencies do not have any evidence of its existence here, said Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal yesterday once again.

Talking to The Daily Star he, however, said his ministry would look into the apprehension by Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

On Saturday, Singh, while addressing the annual conference of Directors General of Police and Inspectors General of Police in Gujarat, said the activities of IS had been witnessed in India.

"ISIS has been trying to enhance its foothold in India's neighbours -- Bangladesh and Afghanistan," the Indian minister said.

Kamal said, "All the political killings and attacks on religious establishments are being conducted by our country's militant outfits like JMB and Ansarullah."

All the attacks are being carried out to make the country unstable to secure political gain, he added.

Addressing a programme at the capital's Mohammadpur, the minister said some militant outfits of the country and international quarters were out to make Bangladesh unstable by proving IS presence in the country.

Meanwhile, in Khulna, after a meeting with senior officers of police, Rab and other law enforcers in the division, Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque told reporters that, "In Bangladesh, there is no IS network. The law enforcement agencies are conducting drives to eliminate the country's militant outfits."

He also said law enforcement agencies were determined to ensure security during the upcoming December 30 municipal polls.

SECURITY FOR CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

After meeting with senior officials of different law enforcement and intelligence agencies and leaders of the Christian community at his ministry, Kamal told journalists that adequate measures would be taken so that people could smoothly celebrate New Year 2016.

The diplomatic zone will remain under a security blanket and no outsider will be allowed in Gulshan, Banani, Hatirjheel and Dhaka University areas after 8:00pm on December 31 without valid reasons.