Dhaka, April 2 -- The government is working to prevent any form of extremism from arising in Bangladesh, and is prepared to take a hardline approach if needed in this regard, according to Mahfuj Alam, adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

"The government is committed to ensuring that extremism does not gain ground in Bangladesh. Any attempts to create unrest will be dealt with firmly," Mahfuj said Wednesday, when asked to react to a report published by The New York Times.

He was speaking to journalists after visiting the grave of Shaheed Masum Mia, who was martyred in the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement, and meeting his family at Uttar Rampur in Sadar South Upazila, Cumilla.

Speaking about the sacrifices made d...