No gain from December hype, extradition sought for Hasina and other convicted fugitives: home minister
The government is working through diplomatic channels to bring back convicted fugitive accused, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said. He made the remarks while answering journalists' questions at the Secretariat on Monday (November 2).
He said applications have been sent through the foreign ministry to the countries concerned seeking the extradition of those convicted of various crimes, including Sheikh Hasina.
The home minister said: 'There is no need to wait until December. If they can be brought back to the country today itself, action will be taken in accordance with the court's verdict.'
He added: 'Why do you keep saying December, December? We have applied, in accordance with the law, to the countries concerned to bring back everyone who has been convicted, sentenced to death or given life imprisonment, including the fugitive murderer, genocidaire and fascist Sheikh Hasina. The application was made through the foreign ministry. Why December — if they are extradited today itself, we will bring them under the law. Action will be taken according to the court's verdict.'
On the speculation surrounding December, Salahuddin Ahmed said: 'A quarter is trying to create hype centring on December. Even if it is an attempt to energise fugitive leaders and activists through this, it will not succeed.'
The minister made the comments while answering journalists' questions after a meeting with BGMEA and BKMEA leaders at the home ministry's conference room at the Secretariat on Monday, held to resolve the ongoing crisis in the ready-made garment industry.
On the current situation in the garment industry, the home minister said at the same briefing that those trying to create unrest and violence in the country in the name of a labour movement will be given no quarter. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to suppress the creators of anarchy with a stern hand. He said the government is determined to maintain stability in the garment industry.
Raising the formation of a new wage board to set garment workers' minimum wage, Salahuddin Ahmed said that, in line with the demands of labour organisations and a government decision, a step has been taken to form a wage board every three years. After the workers' side submitted its representatives' names on the night of October 31, the labour ministry issued a gazette on the morning of November 1 forming the board. The board's first meeting will be held very soon, and the workers' minimum wage will be finalised and announced within the stipulated time, he said.
