Lieutenant General (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the Interior Advisor of Bangladesh, has reassured the public that the nation’s law and order situation is fully under control, with no cause for concern. His remarks came on Wednesday afternoon at a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) headquarters in Chashara, Narayanganj, where six mini pickup vans were formally handed over to the District Police and Industrial Police to enhance law enforcement operations. During the event, he spoke briefly to journalists and expressed confidence in the country’s security environment, emphasising the authorities’ readiness to maintain stability across all sectors.
Responding to questions regarding local political developments, Chowdhury noted that Mohammad Masuduzzaman, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s candidate for Narayanganj-5, recently withdrew from the forthcoming election. The Interior Advisor highlighted that participation in elections is a personal decision and stressed that, despite security concerns being important, all attendees at the event were present safely. He added that the reasons behind any candidate’s withdrawal are best investigated by journalists themselves.
Addressing queries concerning the suspension of visa services at the Indian Embassy and the summoning of the Bangladeshi Ambassador to India, Chowdhury clarified that such actions were routine. He explained that Bangladesh had recently summoned the Indian Ambassador, and reciprocal summoning is standard practice in diplomatic relations, ensuring proper communication between countries.
Opening his remarks, the Interior Advisor paid homage to the martyrs and valiant freedom fighters of the 1971 Liberation War. He also remembered those who were martyred or injured during the July Revolution, acknowledging the crucial role played by courageous students and young citizens in the movement’s success. He further mentioned that Sharif Osman Hadi, convenor of the Inquilab platform, is currently undergoing medical treatment in Singapore. Chowdhury lauded Hadi’s bravery and significant contributions to the nation and wished him a swift recovery.
Chowdhury highlighted the critical role of the Industrial Police and District Police in maintaining safety within industrial zones, protecting workers, and fostering a peaceful working environment. He praised BKMEA for donating six vehicles to strengthen police mobility and emphasised that secure industrial areas require close cooperation between authorities and factory owners.
The ceremony was attended by BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, Special Assistant to the Principal Advisor Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, Chief Additional IGP of Industrial Police Jasim Uddin, DIG of Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallick, District Commissioner Mohammad Raihan Kabir, and Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Munshi.
As the Interior Advisor departed, student organisations presented a memorandum urging the arrest of those responsible for the attempted murder of Osman Hadi, the recovery of looted arms, and six additional demands. He assured the students that their appeals would be duly considered and addressed.