The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Home Minister advocate Sahara Khatun yesterday urged the South Asian nations to unite in the fight against terrorism, which is a major development.

"The political roots of terrorism have caused great mistrust and misunderstanding among South Asian countries. Extremist influences have, at times, polarised our societies to the extent of hostility towards neighbours," she said.

The Home Minister was addressing the opening session of a three-day regional workshop for senior police officers and prosecutors in South Asia on Effectively Countering Terrorism.

Eighteen participants, including senior police officers and prosecutors, from eight South Asian countries have been participating in the workshop at a city hotel.

Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) with the help of the governments of Australia and Denmark organised the workshop, while the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) jointly hosted the programme.

As terrorism knows no borders and boundaries, she said the South Asian countries have to urgently realise the need for a sincere commitment to fight against terrorism.

Referring to the various initiatives of Bangladesh in its fight agaianst terrorism, she said Bangladesh would strictly ensure that its territory is not used by terrorist elements or outfits for activities against neighbouring countries.

The present government, the home minister has also placed a proposal for the formation of a South Asian Joint Task Force to foster regional cooperation in countering terrorism.

As terrorism has taken different forms -- either religious or separatist militancy -- militant Islamic extremism has emerged as the most powerful and threatening force of all, she said.

"Bangladesh has also launched a comprehensive socio-political programme to build the immunity of rural communities to Islamic extremism and terrorism," Sahara said. This year, she said the law enforcement agencies already arrested a number of wanted militants, including foreign nationals residing here illegally.

Chaired by Home Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder, the function was addressed, among others, by CTED executive director Mike Smith, Danish Ambassador Einar H Jensen, Australian Ambassador for Counter Terrorism Bill Paterson, BEI president Farooq Sobhan and Foreign Secretary Mohamed Mijarul Quayes.