Risk based deployment of law enforcers planned for Feb polls: Home Adviser

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today said that law enforcement agencies will be deployed in the upcoming national election based on an assessment of risk levels at polling centres.

“We have discussed deployment strategies for the law enforcement agencies, considering the risk at the polling centres,” he told journalists after attending a meeting of the Core Committee on law and order at the home ministry in the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Jahangir said the meeting reviewed preparations for the forthcoming national election scheduled for February, including maintaining law and order, curbing drug peddling, overseeing border security, recovering looted firearms, and addressing provocative content circulating on social media.

He reiterated that deployment of law enforcers will be determined after assessing the security situation at individual polling centre but declined to disclose how many centres have been identified as risky.

The Home Adviser also said the meeting discussed the progress of purchasing body-worn cameras for law enforcement.

When asked about the quantity of body cameras to be procured, he said, “We buy whatever we need.”

About border security, Jahangir said all relevant agencies have been instructed to ensure no intruders enter Bangladesh during the election period.

Responding to claims that Superintendents of Police (SPs) were transferred on the advice of a political party, he said, “None made such an allegation to me.”

On the implementation of recommendations from the investigation commission the 2009 BDR carnage, the Home Adviser said he has yet to review the report but added, “We must implement the recommendations of the commission.”

Addressing concerns about the potential security risk of BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman upon his return to the country, he said the government is committed to ensuring safety for everyone.

“There is no security risk to anyone in Bangladesh. The government is fully prepared to ensure everyone’s safety. Special security arrangements will be provided for individuals who need them,” Jahangir said, adding that the Home Ministry remains prepared to protect all citizens.