DHAKA: Home Minister Advocate Sahara Khatun Monday said the government wants to curb terrorism, militancy and drug peddling once for all with the cooperation of journalists.   

Terming the press, the fourth estate, as the associate of the government, Sahara said, “We’ve changed our strategy for combating terrorism on information provided by you (journalists).”

The minister made the appreciative observations on the press while exchanging post-Eid greetings with the journalists in the conference room of her ministry.  

State Minister for Home Affairs Advocate Shamsul Haque Tuku, the Additional Secretary and high officials of the ministry were also present at the re-union on the first working day after eid vacation.

The State Minister said, “Those who tried to conduct subversive activities ahead of Eid felt frustrated having failed to perpetrate their plot.”  

Eid-ul-Fitr festival was celebrated across the country in a peaceful and secure manner for the first time ever, he added.

“Monitoring teams of the Home Ministry are working to maintain peace. Common people themselves are protecting laws spontaneously,” Tuku told the newspersons.  

Replying to a query, the state minister said, “We are pledge-bound to protect the people not only during eid or puja but all the time round.”  

BDST: 1612 HRS, SEP 13, 2010