C T Online Desk: Special Correspondent | Shakhawat Hossain Sabbir : Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has dismissed concerns that the country’s law and order situation may worsen ahead of the national election.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the core committee on law and order at the Secretariat on Sunday (23 November), he said, “There is no such possibility. In fact, the situation is gradually improving.
However, as the election approaches, rallies, processions, and political gatherings will naturally increase.”
The adviser noted that when the interim government assumed responsibility, the security environment was already in a declining state. “Over the past one and a half years, the situation has improved due to continuous efforts,” he added.
Responding to a security analyst’s comment that the country is passing through a critical phase due to rising crime, Jahangir Alam questioned the credibility of such assessments.
“Anyone can call themselves an analyst these days. I don’t know on what qualifications he became one, so I cannot comment on his remarks,” he said.
On earthquake-related concerns, the adviser said Bangladesh currently has no early-warning system. “I don’t know whether such systems exist elsewhere, though some countries reportedly have apps that provide alerts a few seconds earlier.
We are exploring whether a similar system can be developed,” he noted.
He added that many people believe aftershocks are likely within one to one-and-a-half hours of a major tremor. “But in our case, a minor quake occurred shortly after the first one. We are not experts, but we will consult with meteorologists,” he said, urging strict adherence to building codes.
“Wetlands are being filled for construction, which increases risk. There are also very few open spaces for people to gather during an earthquake. These issues must be addressed.”
Regarding the reported late-night detention of a journalist by the Detective Branch, the adviser said, “Even within the journalist community, it has been discussed that the individual’s actions were not related to journalism but something else.”
