Police have taken the initiative to rehabilitate militants through counselling. Those who are under punishment will be given guidance for a complete change in their radical mindset.
In this aim a terrorist prevention centre will be formed.
Police high ups feel that after positive changes in mindset, militants have to be brought back to mainstream society.
The militancy prevention centre will address misinterpretation of religion which usually indoctrinates young impressionable minds.
A special unit has already been formed to counter militancy and international crime and the deradicalisaton project will be implemented at a cost of Tk. 300 crore.
A 13-storey prevention centre will be constructed and 27 sets of high tech equipment will be purchased.
In addition, prison vans, explosive ordnance disposal vans, armoured personnel carriers, APCs and other relevant items will be bought.
Executive director of Regional Anti-Terrorist Research Institute and research analyst, major general (retd) A K Mohammad Ali Sikder told Bangla Tribune, “Those who engage in religion based violence are often brainwashed and, therefore, counselling is important.”
To get rid of bigoted ideas, long term counselling plus firm steps to counter extremism are essential, he added.
Many of those who have been arrested said they engaged with radicalism because it was an order from God, and this belief has come from years of indoctrination, he observed and added, “To debunk this false belief, motivational therapy is needed.”
“The approach has to be two pronged: punishment plus a slow but steady counselling to address implanted militant ideals.”