The first cabinet meeting of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's newly formed government has ordered intensified anti terror vigil in the country, while asking security agencies to "maintain peace and stability at any cost".
"We have reviewed the overall law and order situation of the country and asked law enforcement and intelligence agencies to remain vigilant," Commerce Minister retired colonel Faruk Khan told newsman emerging a from a two hour long cabinet meeting with Hasina in the chair late last night.
The meeting noted occurrences of a few violent incidents after last week's general election and asked concerned agencies to "maintain peace and stability at any cost," he added.
The 32 member cabinet meeting was held a day after Hasina's Awami League led government was ceremonially installed and the ministers joined their offices with promises to fulfill their electoral pledges.
The country's new foreign minister Dipu Moni had said on Wednesday that the government planed to set up an "effective" regional body to fight terrorism as she pledged to increase cooperation among its neighbours in tackling the menace.
"Militancy and terrorism are not confined to geographical boundaries, that's why we must take effective steps to fight them in consultations with our neighbouring countries," underlined Moni, the first woman to hold the foreign minister's post in the Muslim majority nation.
{{/usCountry}}"Militancy and terrorism are not confined to geographical boundaries, that's why we must take effective steps to fight them in consultations with our neighbouring countries," underlined Moni, the first woman to hold the foreign minister's post in the Muslim majority nation.
{{/usCountry}}The cabinet also decided to provide all privileges of a minister to Fakhruddin Ahmed, former chief adviser (of the past interim government) for a year.