United News of Bangladesh

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Thursday said that there would be no possibility of ballot snatching at polling centres in the upcoming national election. “The upcoming national election will be free, fair, impartial, peaceful and festive in Bangladesh’s history which will serve as a role model,” he said while speaking at a views-exchange meeting at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Malibagh area of the capital. In previous national elections, only one armed police member was deployed at each polling centre and for the first time, at least five armed members of law-enforcement agencies will be deployed at every polling centre in the upcoming election, he said. Of them, at least two will be armed police members and three armed Ansar members, he added. Besides, six armed law-enforcement personnel will be deployed in important polling centres, including three armed police members while10 unarmed Ansar members-- six male and four female Ansar members--equipped with batons will be posted at each polling centre, he said. The election officials and law-enforcement personnel must perform their duties with 100 percent honesty, neutrality and professionalism, he added. This time, there are several important aspects , including training of law-enforcement personnel, the use of body-worn cameras, installation of CCTV cameras and the deployment of drones and dog squads, said the adviser. The expatriate voters, government officials and employees, election-duty officials and members of law-enforcement agencies will be able to exercise their voting rights by registering through the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app, he said. Nearly 9 lakh law enforcers to be deployed during polls: Home Adviser Besides, a record number of around 9 lakh law-enforcement personnel will be engaged in election duties. The law-enforcement agencies, BNCC, Girls Guide and Scout members will also assist in maintaining order, he added. He said the forces would be deployed in two phases to maintain law and order during the election. The first phase, with currently deployed personnel, will continue, while the second phase will see polling-centre-based deployment from February 8–14, with officers on duty for seven days. Later, the adviser presented awards to CID officers for their outstanding performance.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday acknowledged that the country’s law and order situation has seen a slight deterioration. “The situation was good but based on the incidents of the last few days I would say it has deteriorated slightly. We will try our best to restore it to the previous state,” he said. The Home Adviser came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after inaugurating a training programme for increasing capability and skills of police for performing election duties at Rajarbagh Police Lines in the capital. Union-level police camp in Munshiganj to become permanent soon: Home Affairs Adviser When asked about the recent violence in Rajbari he said they are investigating the incident. “We will be able to give details once the investigation report is available. However, we have already brought five people involved in the incident under the law. After their interrogation, we may be able to get a clearer picture,” the adviser added. Responding to a question about whether a fair investigation is possible while the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of police of the district remain in their posts, the adviser said, “Negligence will be determined through investigation. If I remove everyone beforehand, it means I’ve not given importance to the investigation. If anyone is proven guilty, action will be taken. If someone is innocent, no action will be taken against them. Without investigation, how can I say who is responsible?” Awami League will definitely try to obstruct election: Home Adviser Regarding questions about prior threats that were circulating on social media and the recent incidents in Rajbari and Hathazari, he denied failure in preventing mob violence. “We are not failing. The problem is we have become very intolerant. Those who committed these acts will be brought under the law. I urge everyone to be patient. There’s a lack of patience in everything nowadays,” he said. When asked if the situation would hinder the upcoming election, the adviser said when people will become election-oriented no one will be able to stop them.  

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday said the government will restructure the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) in line with the OHCHR recommendations. He made the announcement while briefing reporters after the ninth meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Committee at the Secretariat. “A committee has already been formed to oversee Rab’s reorganisation,” he said, adding that police personnel will no longer be allowed to carry lethal weapons. The decision comes following a recommendation from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which in a report released on February 12 called for the disbanding of Rab for its alleged involvement in serious human rights violations. Italy to support Bangladesh in curbing illegal migration: Adviser Jahangir The OHCHR report also recommended restricting the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) to border protection duties and confining the Defence Intelligence Directorate (DGFI) to military intelligence functions. Welcoming the report, the adviser said it was a positive step, and the government has decided to act accordingly. Turning to the readymade garment (RMG) sector, the adviser said wages and bonuses of garment workers must be paid before Eid-ul-Azha. He warned of stern action if workers take to the streets with what he termed ‘irrational’ demands. Ahead of the Eid festivities, Jahangir also ordered the deployment of 100 Ansar members at each cattle market to curb extortion. He also directed the authorities concerned to ensure smooth and secure travel for holidaymakers.