‘Crimes, flash processions to drop ahead of polls’

Staff Reporter :

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday said the upcoming national election is expected to be peaceful and festive if all stakeholders play their roles responsibly.

“People are the biggest stakeholders, and they are already aware and engaged. Once people become election-minded, nothing can stop the process,” he told reporters at the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Headquarters.

Jahangir said crimes and sudden processions have already begun to decline and will reduce further as the election nears, noting that the overall law and order situation—especially in Dhaka—has improved through continuous police operations.

“Earlier, when we detained 254 people in one operation, it sent a strong message. Since then, such processions have decreased significantly. With everyone’s cooperation, they will gradually disappear,” he added.

Addressing concerns over attacks on police, the adviser said such incidents have fallen compared to previous years, with only a few isolated cases like the one in Narsingdi. “Public awareness and responsible media coverage are helping reduce these incidents,” he said.

Jahangir also acknowledged the shortage of vehicles and accommodation in the police force.
“Even after purchasing 200 pickup vans from Pragoti Industries, the need remains high. The procurement was made under the chief adviser’s directive, with support from the finance and industries advisers,” he said.

He added that more pickup trucks, prison vans, and other vehicles would be acquired later this year. Of Dhaka’s 50 police stations, 25 still operate from rented buildings.

“We have laid the foundation for five new stations, and two more will follow soon. Eventually, all rented stations will have permanent facilities,” he noted.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to public safety ahead of the election, Jahangir said, “Our goal is to ensure a peaceful, orderly, and celebratory election. With the cooperation of the people, political parties, the Election Commission, administration, and law enforcement, we will achieve that.”