Khulna: A delegation from the United States Embassy visited Khulna to assess the preparedness of law enforcement agencies and review security arrangements ahead of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, on Tuesday afternoon, US Embassy representative Stuart Sullivan, accompanied by Foreign Service National Investigator S M Shibli Saifullah, visited the Khulna Metropolitan Police (KMP) headquarters. They held a meeting with KMP Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Hasan, as confirmed by a KMP press release issued last night.
The delegation's visit is part of a broader assessment of law enforcement readiness and security measures surrounding the upcoming national election. Before arriving in Khulna, the team visited Chattogram, Sylhet, and Teknaf in Cox's Bazar to observe preparations there.
During the meeting, Sullivan sought information about police preparedness for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and inquired about potential risks of election-related violence.
In response, the KMP Commissioner assured that no incidents of election violence had been reported in the Khulna metropolitan area so far. With the polls scheduled for February 12, he expressed hope that a peaceful atmosphere would prevail.
He further stated that following directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Headquarters, adequate numbers of law enforcement personnel have been deployed at each polling center. In addition to static deployments, mobile patrol teams and striking reserve forces are on standby to address any emergency situations.
Approximately 860 members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have also been deployed in the KMP area. Through coordinated efforts among the law enforcement agencies and the armed forces, the commissioner expressed optimism that a free, fair, and impartial election would be ensured.
At the end of the visit, the US Embassy delegation presented a goodwill gift to the KMP Commissioner. Additional Police Commissioner (recently promoted to DIG) Abu Raihan Muhammad Saleh and Additional Police Commissioner Mohammad Rashidul Islam Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.