Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Thursday expressed optimism that the security situation would improve with the gradual deployment of security forces, stating that political parties have so far shown restraint and tolerance while carrying out election campaigns.

“We hope the coming days will look better with the gradual deployment of security forces. Overall situation will further improve,” he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in response to a question.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad, and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi also spoke at the briefing, where the outcomes of the Council of Advisers’ meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, were shared.

Alam said the government believes political parties are demonstrating adequate restraint and tolerance and are engaging in healthy election campaigns.

“Truly, they are abiding by electoral laws and following the code of conduct,” he said, referring to the situation ahead of the 2014 elections.

Hundreds were killed and injured in violent attacks surrounding the controversial elections, the Human Rights Watch said in a new report released on April 29, 2014, quoting the Bangladeshi human rights organisations.

Bangladesh’s government and members of rival political parties all bear responsibility for the violence which scarred national elections on January 5, 2014, said the Human Rights Watch at that time.

“We believe there is still a sufficient level of tolerance among the political parties. However, we do not deny that a few isolated incidents have taken place,” the Press Secretary added, noting that, according to police data, four people have died since the announcement of the election schedule.  

Violence Unacceptable, Deeply Regrettable

With the national election only two weeks away, the government on Thursday called on all political parties, including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, to demonstrate responsible leadership and ensure restraint among their supporters.

"Violence, intimidation, and loss of life have no place in a democratic process," said the interim government in a statement, expressing deep concerns over the recent violent incident in Sherpur that resulted in the death of a political activist of the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

Any loss of life linked to violence is unacceptable and deeply regrettable, said the government.

"The interim government remains committed to ensuring a peaceful, free, and fair election," according to the statement shared by the Chief Adviser's press wing.

The police in Sherpur have launched an investigation into the clashes and the murder.

All perpetrators will be brought to justice. Security in the district has been stepped up, the government said.

All parties, leaders and campaigners must play their role in maintaining peace, respecting the rule of law, and engaging voters through peaceful and constructive means, it said.

The government said the future of the nation depends on calm, discipline and democratic conduct from all sides.

Innocents Won’t Be Arrested 

Responding to a question, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said no arrests have been made so far and efforts are underway to identify the actual individuals involved by scrutinising the available video footage.

He said police will speak with the families again after the burial (scheduled for 8pm on Thursday), to know whether they are willing to file a case. If not, the police will file the case.

Azad said investigations are ongoing to identify the real attackers, noting that many people were present at the scene.

Reject attempts to stoke fear, exploit tensions: Shafiqul Alam

He said the authorities want to ensure that no innocent person is arrested or unnecessarily harassed, while those involved in the incident will not be spared.

A local leader of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami died after being injured in a clash between supporters of the BNP and Jamaat in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur district on Wednesday evening.

Rezaul Karim, general secretary of the Sreebardi Upazila unit, succumbed to his injuries around 9:30 pm while on the way to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, said Sherpur Additional Superintendent of Police Md Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan.