Influential figures not being spared in mass uprising arrests: home adviser
NN Online:
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury dismissed allegations today that law enforcers are only arresting grassroots-level political activists over attacks and killings related to the July-August mass uprising, while sparing influential figures.”I cannot fully agree with that,” he said, responding to a question from a reporter that only ward-level leaders have been arrested by law enforcers in the cases related to attacks and killings.The adviser was addressing reporters after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat.
“We are not sparing any of the big fish. But they have to fall into the net first. Until then, we cannot catch them. Whoever is caught in our net, we are arresting. However, if someone falls into the net and we still let them go, then you can question us,” said the adviser.
Asked about public dissatisfaction over police services at stations, especially complaints that police often refuse to file cases, Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser for home affairs, said that it is an old complaint that police do not record complaints properly.
“Steps were being taken to digitise the system. Initially, we are launching online facilities for General Diaries (GDs) and First Information Reports (FIRs) in two districts. You will get an official statement from Police Headquarters soon. We hope to bring FIRs online as well, which will help solve this issue permanently,” said Khuda Baksh.
Regarding police uniform and logo changes, Jahangir Alam said the process had already started.
“The new uniform has already come into effect. But we can not discard the old ones all at once — we are replacing them gradually. This is tied to costs, so we’re proceeding step by step,” he explained.
On this year’s Pahela Baishakh celebrations, home adviser Jahangir Alam noted it was the first time the festival had been observed with participation from people of all religions and communities.
“With everyone’s cooperation, the security forces were able to do their job well. I thank the law enforcement agencies, media workers, and the general public,” he said.
Responding to a question about his recent remarks in Sunamganj, where he was quoted as saying that people want the current government to stay in power for five more years, the adviser clarified, “I didn’t make that comment. It was the local people who said it. I was just present there. The chief adviser has already stated that elections will be held between December and June — I have nothing more to add.”
About the incident of the vandalism of a stage ahead of Pahela Baishakh celebrations in Chattogram, Jahangir Alam said, “That shouldn’t have happened. Since it did, we will work to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.”