DHAKA, Sept 18, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a message today
said that the steps taken by the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU), a specialized
body of Bangladesh Police, in countering militancy and violent extremism,
have already gained public confidence.

"Bangladesh has now emerged as the role model of resisting terrorism and
violent extremism in the world," she said on the occasion of the 5th founding
anniversary of the ATU to be celebrated in the country tomorrow.

Greeting all members of the ATU, the Premier said, "I am happy to learn that
the ATU is going to publish a souvenir marking its fifth founding
anniversary".

To tackle the artificial crisis created to halt the country's development,
progress and non-communal culture, the government has announced a 'zero
tolerance policy' against terrorism and undertaken a set of action plans,"
Sheikh Hasina said.

"We have established the ATU with permission to carry out Counter
Radicalization and De-Radicalization activities, including collecting
intelligence information regarding anti-terrorism and anti-extremism across
the country, conducting drives, investigating into cases and carrying out
public awareness programmes," she added.

Since its inception, the newly established ATU has been able to create a
positive image at home and abroad through its various activities, the Prime
Minister said, hoping that considering the context and situation of the
country, the ATU will work sincerely on a wider scale.

"I hope that ATU will serve the people by playing an advanced role in
increasing its own capacity to resist the ill attempts of militants and anti-
state forces in this time of extreme excellence of technology," the Premier
said.

She added: "Let's work together to build a modern, non-communal, prosperous
and hunger and poverty free 'Sonar Bangladesh' as dreamt by Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for the next generation".

Sheikh Hasina wished all the programmes marking the 5th anniversary of the
ATU a success.