Some people are not coming out of their homes because they have caught a “cold”, not due to the country’s law and order, Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said, pointing to the Jatiya Party, which has been notably absent outdoors ahead of the national election.
He made the remarks on Monday while responding to a question from journalists at the Secretariat about allegations that Jatiya Party has been unable to carry out its election activities because of law enforcement agencies.
“It does not matter who says what. Some people simply do not want to go outside,” he said following a meeting of the Core Committee on Law and Order.
“For some, the moment they step out, they start feeling cold. They feel more comfortable staying inside their homes. Are we stopping them from going out?” he said.
Commenting on the rise in murder cases across the country, he said, “I do not know any ‘magic’ or possess an ‘on–off switch’ to prevent murder. If I had such power, I would switch off all killings in an instant.”
Recently, Jatiya Party’s central office in the capital was vandalised. Some parties, including Gono Odhikar Parishad, staged demonstrations demanding a ban on the party, accusing it of being aligned with the ousted Awami League government.
On the issue, the adviser said Jatiya Party’s problems regarding its office were the result of internal disputes within the party.
His remarks come at a time when the country is witnessing concerns over political violence, mob attacks, crimes involving illegal firearms and snatching, amid what many describe as a deteriorating law and order situation.
According to the November report of the human rights organisation Human Rights Support Society, 12 people were killed in political violence that month. The report also stated that the current human rights situation in the country is facing multi-dimensional crises and remains deeply concerning.
Documents from the rights group Ain o Salish Kendra show that 165 people were killed in mob violence in the first 10 months of this year.
Responding to a question about the killing of a freedom fighter and his wife, who were found with their throats slit in Taraganj of Rangpur, he said, “Instructions have already been issued to arrest the perpetrators.”
Asked why ordinary people do not seem convinced that the election will be held on time, the adviser told journalists, “Ordinary people do believe it, but I am not sure whether you [journalists] believe it.”
Speaking about election preparations, the Home Adviser said all law enforcement agencies are continuing their training, which will be completed by January. “All necessary preparations are being taken to ensure a fair, acceptable and festive election,” he said.
He added that operations to recover weapons looted from several police stations during the July-August uprising are still ongoing.
