Several members of the two chambers of parliament stressed that the security operation by the Ministry of Interior in the village of Duraz on Monday aimed to protect public order and to remove illegal gatherings that hampered the free movement of people, stalled their interests and put their safety at risk.
They said that the illegal gatherings that went on for months had turned into hideouts for fugitives and for people on the wanted list and a source to spread violence and extremism.
The members of parliament hailed the professional approaches, sense of discipline, self-restraint and attitudes of the security men while carrying out the operation that aimed to address an illegal situation and not to target anyone or a specific community.
“Bahrain is a state of law and order and the Ministry of the Interior has carried out its role in achieving security through combing the area of Duraz and arresting some of those who are wanted in security-related cases in order to reinforce safety and ensure that the area is no longer a hideout for fugitives,” Ali Al Aradi, the First Deputy Speaker of the Council of Representatives, told Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
The lawmaker said that a meeting had been held with the owners of the Shiite community centres (maatams) in Duraz to inform them about the security operation before it was carried out.
“The Ministry of Interior clearly stated that the security operation was not related to specific personalities. Everybody could see that the ministry resorted to the operation to ease the free movement of the residents after it was stalled for a long time. There was not any abuse of anyone,” Al Aradi said.
The lawmaker stressed the great confidence in the security men and in the Minister of Interior, Shaikh Rashed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and that the rule of law should be applied to all without exception.
“I believe in the right of the Ministry of Interior or any other institution in the state to carry out the tasks assigned to it and the ministry was very clear in its statement about the security operation it carried out.”
Jalal Kadhem, the lawmaker from Duraz, thanked the Ministry of Interior for applying the law.
“The area was suffering from a group of people who shut it down completely and harmed the residents who did not complain openly as they were afraid of them,” he said.
He explained how he drove every day into Duraz to take his daughter to school and went through a police checkpoint without hassle, but faced difficulties when dealing with a group of people who acted like policemen and set up their checkpoints.
The lawmaker said that several development projects were being carried out, including the construction of a high school and a club. Several residents were also accepted in the housing project in the Northern City.
“His Royal Highness the Prime Minister has responded positively to all the proposals and suggestions presented through the Council of Representatives to develop the area,” he said.
He added that the security operation on Monday did not affect the religious or social activities in the area, as attested by the owners of Shiite community centres.
Kadhem said that the illegal gatherings in Duraz had forced several shops to close down, bringing commercial activities to a halt to the great dismay of their owners.
“In fact, some of the residents preferred to rent apartments in other areas after they had problems reaching their homes in Duraz and in order to avoid problems,” he said.
The lawmaker added that the government did not target any specific person in its security operation and insisted on the importance of the rule of law.
He said that those who choose to clash with the Ministry of Interior should assume the responsibility and consequences of their acts.
MP Rua Al Hayki said that security and stability were a top priority and that the Ministry of Interior should not spare any effort to impose them.
The lawmaker said that the ministry was up to the expectations in carrying out security operations to remove risks and threats to citizens.
“Security forces always generate a sense of security among citizens and residents and are truly professional and self-disciplined while carrying out operations. Citizens are grateful to them for their great efforts,” she said.
“The security operation in Duraz was not related to Isa Qassim and the court verdict this week was clear and did not order his arrest. There was no reason to target him by the security forces. Unfortunately, there are those who concoct stories and make allegations that do not make sense,” she said.
Member of the Shura Council Sawsan Taqawi said the security operation was to end an illegal gathering that had caused serious problems, including closing roads and making it difficult for residents to reach their destinations.
“It was clear for everyone that there was great self-restraint by the security forces while carrying out the operation,” she said. “The rule of law must be respected and the operation aimed to put an end to a gathering that was used as a hideout and as a source to incite violence and terrorism that were presented in a religious garb to make them more marketable. This is absolutely rejected by the components of the Bahraini society,” she said.

Source: Fana News