Law enforcement preparing for election on assumption it will be held in 5 months, says home advisor

"People in politics make many statements. If you ask me, I’m not going to answer their questions. We are making preparations on our own,” Advisor Jahangir says

The law-enforcing agencies have begun preparing for the upcoming election with the assumption that it will be held after five months, says Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.

He spoke to reporters after visiting the Industrial Area Police Headquarters and Uttara East Police Station in Dhaka on Sunday.

Before that, he visited the Export Cargo Village and BADC Cold Storage at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

In response to the statements given by different political parties saying there was no proper environment to hold an election, he said: "People in politics make many statements. If you ask me, I’m not going to answer their questions. We are making preparations on our own.”

When asked if he agreed with the statements of the political parties, he said: "It isn’t to do with them. I’m focusing on our preparations. Since there is still time -- about five to six months -- we have started preparing."

The home advisor does not believe that the law-and-order situation will cause any problems during the elections.

The election depends not only on the law enforcing agencies but also on officials and employees in the electoral system and administration, and everyone participating in the election has their own responsibilities, he said.

"Those participating in the election need the maximum preparation. Our preparations are going well. There is no lack of preparation."

Journalists asked the home advisor about incidents of mob violence in different parts of the country.

"The incidents of mob violence had decreased to some extent. However, two or three days ago, there was one incident in Cumilla, another in Chattogram, one in Lalmonirhat, and one in Faridpur. We are taking proper action to ensure that this does not happen in the future. Action is being taken against those involved."

Regarding the allegations of not arresting those involved in mobs, the home advisor said: "The problem with arrests is that the person who commits wrongdoing does not stay in the area where the incident takes place but flees. We need some time to find them."

Following attacks on two police stations in Lalmonirhat, more police, army and BGB personnel have been deployed in the area.

The home advisor claimed that the Industrial Police have overcome the troubles they faced after the mass uprising in July and August.

He said, “As the number of industries has gone up, we need to expand the workforce and increase the equipment available to the industrial police.”