United News of Bangladesh

With the national election approaching fast, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday (5th November 2025) said all necessary instructions have been given to the administration and law enforcement agencies to ensure a free and fair election slated for February 2026. “No threats to the upcoming polls have been detected so far,” he said while talking to reporters after a meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Gazipur. Addressing the role of voters in the polls, Jahangir Alam said attempts to disrupt the process are unlikely to succeed when voters are active and aware. Over 48,000 police officers complete election training: Police HQ He also highlighted the responsibilities of participating political parties in maintaining law and order and said close coordination among the Election Commission, law enforcement and administration will prevent potential issues. Regarding security concerns, he warned that any Awami League leaders and activists released on bail who engage in criminal activity before the election will face strict action. He also acknowledged that miscreants and rumour may attempt to create unrest, assuring that comprehensive measures will be taken to prevent such actions. Deputy Commissioner Nafisa Arefin, Gazipur Metropolitan Police acting Commissioner Zahid Hossain, Superintendent of Police Dr. Chowdhury Jaber Sadeq, and senior officials from the army, fire service, and other administrative departments, attended the meeting. Read more: Action if police favour any political party, warns Home Adviser

With the national election approaching, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday (4th November 2025) warned that action will be taken against any police personnel found providing illegal facilities to political leaders or activists. He issued the warning while speaking to reporters after a core committee meeting at his ministry. Responding to a question about measures against police favouring any party during the polls, he said an electoral inquiry committee has already been formed. Ansar members to accompany presiding officers during polls: Home Adviser “If there is any negligence, action will be taken immediately under the law. Previously, only general diaries were filed, but now officers will be held accountable at once,” the adviser added. He directed the police to make sure the elections are free, fair, credible and festive, stressing that any violations will face strict legal action.

No evidence of sexual harassment has been found in the medical report over the alleged rape of an indigenous girl in Khagrachhari district, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday. He made the statement following a meeting of the law and order core committee at the Secretariat. It has already been proved that the collaborators of the fascist elements hatched conspiracy to create unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts over the alleged rape of the girl and by placing a beard on the demon’s face in the Durga Puja mandap to destabilise the communal harmony, the adviser said. He said, “While the Durga Puja idol was being made in a neighbouring country, reports emerged showing our respected Chief Adviser being portrayed in a derogatory manner, and his connection is also seen in the act of placing a beard on the demon’s face.” After eight days, Section 144 to be lifted in Khagrachhari The adviser praised the law enforcement agencies and intelligence services for actively monitoring the situation, working alongside the Puja committees to prevent the conspiracies. On September 23, the eight-grader girl was allegedly raped by three youths in Khagrachhari Sadar upazila, triggering criticism. On the next day, the victim’s father filed a case against three unidentified people with the police station concerned. Later, the police, with army assistance, arrested a suspect, Shoyon Sheel, who is now in custody for interrogation. Unrest broke out when protests demanding punishment began under the banner of ‘Jumma Chhatra Janata,’ including indefinite road blockades. On September 27, the local administration imposed Section 144 for an indefinite period amid escalating tensions. Khagrachhari Violence: 1, 000 unidentified people sued in 3 cases On September 28, at least three people were killed and several others injured as protesters clashed with law enforcement at Ramessu Bazar in Guimara upazila during the indefinite blockade. Later, a five member panel was formed to investigate the incident. October 1, police filed three separate cases against 1,000 unidentified people over the recent violence in Khagrachhari Sadar and Guimara upazilas for attacks on law enforcers and murders.

The situation in the hills of Khagrachhari has returned to normal, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury claimed on Tuesday. He made the claim while talking to reporters after a meeting at his ministry regarding recent violence in Guimara upazila of the district. Responding to journalists’ questions, the adviser said the current situation in the hills is calm and there are no major problems. He also said certain groups attempted to disrupt Hindu devotees from celebrating Puja peacefully but their efforts failed. The ministry condemned recent attacks by miscreants in Khagrachhari that left three local people dead and several others, including members of the army and police, injured. The unrest followed the alleged gang rape of an eighth-grade girl on September 23. The victim’s father filed a case against three unidentified people with Khagrachhari Sadar police station. Khagrachhari violence: Blockade disrupts daily life for 4th day The next day, the police, with army assistance, arrested a suspect, Shoyon Sheel, who is now in custody for interrogation. Protests demanding punishment have been ongoing under the banner of ‘Jumma Chhatra Janata,’ including indefinite road blockades. On Sunday, at Ramessu Bazar in Guimara, protesters clashed with law enforcement, injuring 25 people, including army personnel, and vandalising several shops and houses. Authorities have imposed Section 144 in the area to prevent further violence, and the situation remains tense.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday warned that tougher action will be taken against those spreading rumours or inciting communal unrest on social media centring Durga Puja. The adviser came up with the warning while briefing reporters after a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat. He said that there will be 33,355 Puja mandaps across the country this year, nearly an increase by over 1000 compared to the past year. To ensure security, Ansar members have been deployed since September 24 and will remain on duty until October 2, he said, adding that nearly one lakh security personnel, including Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) platoons have been deployed for the Puja security. Besides, seven members from each Puja committee will perform round-the-clock duty, while some 80,000 volunteers assigned by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs have been linked through the NTMC app for community-level vigilance, he said. Prof Yunus extends greetings to Hindu community on Durga Puja Nearly 70,000 police personnel are also engaged alongside intelligence surveillance at vulnerable temples, said the adviser, adding, “Rumour-mongers and communal instigators on social media will face strict action. We have already received reports of such attempts in different areas.” Responding to a query, he said, “Chief Adviser has already informed the UN that elections will be held in February. We are preparing our law-and-order measures keeping that in mind.” On possible sabotage during Puja, the adviser dismissed concerns saying that there is no threat. No security threat during Durga Puja: Home Adviser “I personally visited mandaps in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Munshiganj and found no sign of unrest. A handful of fascist collaborators are trying to spread panic, but they will not succeed,” Jahangir Alam added.

Over 80,000 members of the Bangladesh Army will be deployed during the upcoming national election, said Home Affairs Adviser Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. Besides, members of police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and other forces will also be deployed to ensure security, he said at a press briefing after inspecting the polling center at Teghoria High School in Keraniganj (Dhaka-3 parliamentary constituency).  The Home Affairs Adviser said that whereas previously two Ansar members were assigned to each polling station an additional armed Ansar member will remain deployed to enhance the security of the presiding officers. National election in first half of February: CEC To ensure peaceful elections we are taking all necessary preparations, he said. The adviser said holding a peaceful election depends on various factors including the participation and cooperation of political parties, the Election Commission, the administration, law enforcement agencies, and above all the people. Without their support, it will be difficult to hold the election in a peaceful and fair manner, he said. The adviser also said the visit of the poling centre is aimed to explore the possibility of setting up separate booths in the next election for young voters who could not vote in the last three elections as well as separate booths for male and female voters. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus recently announced that the 13th national parliamentary election will be held in February before Ramadan.

Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said that the country’s borders are fully secure and measures are being implemented to enhance border security. “Even if blood is shed, the border will remain secure,” the adviser said on Sunday. He was speaking at the certificate distribution and closing ceremony of the 137th Survey and Settlement Training Course, 2024-25, for officers from various sectors on Sunday, the adviser stressed that the security of the border remains a top priority. Officers from the BCS cadre (Administration, Police, Forest, and Railway) and the Bangladesh Judicial Service attended the course. The adviser highlighted that border security has significantly improved under the current administration. “The public is now on our side. Previously, no measures were taken to secure the border. Now, steps are being taken, which is why problems are arising,” Jahangir Alam said, adding that while there are issues at the border, the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is consistently on high alert. Read: Bangladeshi, Indian civilians face off along Chapainawabganj border “Though problems may occur, no one from the other side will be able to cross,” Chowdhury said, reaffirming that the situation is under control. He also mentioned that the recent incident along the Chapainawabganj border, which was triggered by a dispute over cutting paddy and trees, was resolved peacefully through dialogue between the BGB and the Border Security Force (BSF) of India. Read more: March for Felani: Sarjis Alam vows justice for border killing victims On the corruption issue, the adviser mentioned its detrimental impact on the country’s progress. "If corruption is not reduced, it will be impossible for the country to advance."  Jahangir Alam pointed out that civil servants often show reluctance in providing services when there is no fear of losing their positions, attributing this to the lack of discipline and political influence among the cadres.