The government has deployed gunmen to ensure the security of Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said.
The adviser informed this to the journalists after a meeting of the Law and Order Advisory Council Committee on Monday afternoon.
He said the meeting discussed the law and order situation following Sharif Osman Hadi’s death, the arson attacks on newspaper offices, and the return of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, and the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Regarding the newspaper attacks, the adviser said 17 people had been arrested by Dhaka Metropolitan Police.
In addition, security measures, including the deployment of police gunmen, have been taken to protect the editors of the two newspapers. Arrests were also made in Mymensingh over the brutal killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das.
Jahangir Alam stressed that the government is pursuing the investigation into Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Hadi. “No one involved in this killing will be spared,” he said.
So far, 10 people connected to the murder have been arrested, including the main suspect Faisal Karim’s wife Shaheda Parvin Samia, his parents, brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, and motorcycle owner Abdul Hannan.
Addressing security for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Adviser Jahangir said adequate arrangements have been made. Fireworks will not be permitted, and no events will be allowed on closed roads, he added.
Security will be tightened in key areas of the capital, including Gulshan and Banani, during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
He added that under “Operation Devil Hunt” law enforcers have been instructed to intensify arrests of criminals and miscreants.
