Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday announced that alongside the army, the air force and navy would also be deployed to ensure security during the upcoming national parliamentary elections, slated for February.
He disclosed the information while speaking to journalists at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner's office.
"We will provide training to other forces before the election. The training programme will be inaugurated on 7 September at the Rajarbagh Police Convention Hall. We have already requested the Army, BGB, and Ansar to prepare," he said.
"The role of Ansar is the most extensive during elections. Previously, each polling centre had ten unarmed and two armed Ansar members. We will now add another person responsible for the presiding officer's security," he further explained.
"Two police officers will be deployed at every centre, with three assigned to certain locations. The army will operate in mobile units. BGB, RAB, and the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) will also be present. This time, not only the army, but the air force and navy will also be involved."
Since the Awami League's ouster last year, many police officers are yet to return to their posts.
Addressing this issue, the adviser stated, "Legal action is being taken against the police officers who remain absent. We are recruiting new personnel. Over 4,000 officers have already completed training. One batch is currently in training, and another will begin soon."
When asked regarding Awami League members' allegedly firing on student and public processions using weapons that were stolen from police stations during the July Uprising, the Home Adviser said, "You (journalists) are playing a role in helping recover weapons by providing information. We hope you will continue to do so. If weapons are recovered based on your information, you will be rewarded.''
Regarding the recent attack on Nurul Haque Nur, president of the Gono Odhikar Parishad and former DUCSU VP, Chowdhury said, "The attack on Nur was unfortunate. He is a national-level leader. We pray for his swift recovery."
In response to a question about festering unrest at public universities, the adviser commented, "Not all situations require intervention from law enforcement. I hope teachers and students will resolve the issues through dialogue."
Regarding the reported looting of stone from the Bholaganj tourist site in Sylhet, he said, "Sada Pathor is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Mineral Resources. The report will be sent to them. We might learn more from their end. But as of now, I don't have information on this matter and cannot comment. Thank you for providing information on the issue."
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