Dhaka: Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury announced today that armed security personnel have been assigned to protect 20 individuals, including the editors of The Daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, to ensure their personal safety.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chowdhury made these remarks in response to a query following a meeting of the Committee of Advisory Council on law and order at the Bangladesh Secretariat. He stated that the provision of gunmen was based on applications submitted by these individuals. A committee comprising representatives from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), and Special Branch (SB) prepared a list, which was used to make the assignments.
Chowdhury confirmed that the committee undertook a verification process of the applications before finalizing the list. He further assured that armed guards have been stationed for the editors of the aforementioned national dailies, with increased security measures implemented at their residences.
Additionally, the Home Adviser reported the arrest of 17 people in connection with last Thursday’s attack on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order throughout the country.