Bangladeshs success against terrorism
Bangladesh has been a success story regarding containing terrorism. This fact has been recognised in the latest Global Terrorism Index (GTI). Bangladesh has been ranked 31 in the index, with a score of 5.208, which is a six step improvement from rank 25 in 2018.
The transnational form of terrorism is a challenge for any developing nation like Bangladesh. Moreover, global agenda of different extremist groups, growing presence of international financial institutions in the country, globalisation, growth of Information and Communication Technology, limitations in monitoring capacities of different government agencies and weak political institutions have accentuated the threat of terrorism. These terrorist groups have also developed a nexus with smuggling syndicates, gangsters, international terrorists, outlawed groups and remnants of defunct terrorist groups, benefiting from each other despite their differing aims and goals.
The government has adopted zero-tolerance towards terrorism and has denied the use of its territory for any terrorist groups for perpetrating terrorist activities either inside or outside the country. The government has enacted the Anti-Terrorism Act 2012 and Anti-money Laundering Act 2012 and has, so far, proscribed five terrorist outfits- JMB, Hizb-ut-Tahrir(HT), Harkat-ul-Jihad, Bangladesh (HUJI-B), Jagrata Muslim Janata, Bangladesh (JMJB) and Shahadat-e-al-Hikma.
We believe that the authorities should adopt both hard and soft approaches. The hard approach of arrests, prosecution and proscription should continue. The soft approach must also be carried on -- general awareness of the people against the warped ideologies being preached, counter narratives, economic development and strengthening the institutions of the government should receive attention. Despite all the successes, there remain numerous challenges in the fight against terrorism in Bangladesh. The trends, pattern and overall threat of terrorism in Bangladesh is new. It is difficult for any single government agency to address the problem alone, for it is a fight that needs the involvement of all. Therefore, a coordinated and collaborative approach is the solution. Its transnational nature demands cooperation with other countries since it is a fight that needs a global effort too.
A positive thing that is working for Bangladesh is the awareness created amongst the general population against terrorism and the wrong ideologies that they preach. Thus, it is encouraging finding the general mass protesting activists of different groups who preach wrong ideologies in public places.
