Dhaka: Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today stated that the government will issue firearm licences to candidates contesting the upcoming national election if they apply for them. “We will grant licences to those contesting in the forthcoming national election who wish to have them,” he announced during a briefing with journalists after a Core Committee meeting on law and order at the Home Ministry in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Home Adviser also mentioned that firearms previously deposited with the government will be returned to the respective candidates. Addressing the recent attack on Inqilab Manch spokesperson Osman Hadi, he emphasized that the government perceives the incident as an attempt to disrupt the 13th parliamentary elections. “The Interim Government will not tolerate any attempt to obstruct the national election and such actions will be dealt with firmly,” he asserted.
On the matter of security arrangements for candidates, including frontline July Warriors, the Home Adviser assured that the government is committed to providing full protection for all. He noted that a committee has been established to evaluate and implement necessary security measures specifically for the July Warriors. “The committee will provide security to frontline July Warriors after thorough evaluation,” he said, reiterating the Interim Government’s commitment to their safety.
The Home Adviser condemned the attack on Osman Hadi and expressed the government’s determination to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators. “We have instructed law enforcement agencies to bring those responsible to justice. No one involved in the attack will be spared,” he stressed, adding that the issue is being treated as a top priority and urged public cooperation.
Additionally, he announced the immediate commencement of the second phase of “Operation Devil Hunt” to counter fascist Awami League (AL) terrorists following the attack. “We have decided to launch phase two of Operation Devil Hunt. The operation will be intensified to effectively neutralize fascist terrorists,” he stated. He also announced a cash reward of Tk 50 lakh for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the attack on Osman Hadi, who was seriously injured by motorcycle-riding assailants in the Bijoynagar Box Culvert area of Dhaka and is currently receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital.