Acknowledging instances of violence before the election, retired Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Home Adviser, stated today that the frequency of such incidents was not on the rise and that the integrity of the upcoming polls would not be compromised.
He made these remarks during a medal award ceremony for 40 officers and sailors of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in recognition of their outstanding performance. Addressing concerns raised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) about 15 casualties due to election-related violence, he suggested that TIB could provide historical data from previous elections for comparative analysis. He emphasized that most clashes occur within specific groups, posing challenges for law enforcement timely intervention, but overall, the current situation is relatively stable.
Assuring the public, he mentioned that law enforcement agencies had already been deployed to maintain order, urging cooperation from citizens and the media. He stressed the importance of patience, vigilance, and tolerance among the populace.
Responding to allegations of “pirate” activities in the coastal region and the Sundarbans post-August 5, he refuted such claims by highlighting the continued access for tourists to the area. While acknowledging the presence of “pirates” in isolated spots, he assured that overall control of the region was intact.
Regarding the recovery of arms, he dismissed claims of law enforcers failing to retrieve weapons used in recent killings after the election schedule announcement, stating that weapons were being seized daily.
Praising the contributions of the Coast Guard, the adviser commended their efforts in combating drug trafficking, assisting Rohingya communities, and repatriating detained Bangladeshi fishermen abroad. He expressed gratitude to the Coast Guard for their dedicated service to the nation.
