The government is planning to build a prison in the controversial area of Jungle Salimpur in Chattogram, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday, warning that, the area will not be allowed to serve as a sanctuary for isolated militant groups.

Speaking to journalists after visiting Jungle Salimpur, the minister said, ''Through the politics of corruption or the corruption of politics over the past 17 years, there has been an attempt to create a 'criminal state' within the country, of which this Salimpur jungle is a direct example.''

The minister noted that shortly after the current democratic government assumed office, several criminal incidents were observed in Chattogram. These included attacks on the residences of businesspeople by heavily armed groups and incidents of extortion. Following these events, the government treated the matter with utmost seriousness.

A coordinated joint operation involving law enforcement agencies was launched on March 9 to suppress criminal activities.

Salahuddin Ahmed added, the criminals had established a parallel system of control in Jungle Salimpur through CCTV surveillance and various security checkpoints. This network was dismantled through the joint operation.

However, he acknowledged that in some cases the operation's objectives could not be fully achieved because information had been leaked in advance.

''I assure everyone that no ordinary residents will be evicted from the area; only the hideouts of criminals and militants will be dismantled.''

Sun News/ra