Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Sheikh Md Sajjat Ali has urged the public not to panic over videos circulating on social media showing political activities by a certain party, whose activities have been banned by the government.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday after a seminar on road safety organised by the DMP and JICA at a Dhaka hotel, Commissioner Sajjat Ali acknowledged a recent increase in the party’s political programs but noted that most of these activities are limited to social media and urged citizens to remain calm.
He said, “In the last 15 to 20 days, no significant rallies have taken place. Those staging rallies come from various cities by night coach, stand briefly at a location, pocket their banners, record short videos, and upload them to social media, giving a misleading impression of large processions,” he explained.
Acknowledging the powerful influence of social media in today’s world, the DMP chief said, “Social media’s impact cannot be denied, but there is no reason to panic over these posts.”
“The party has attempted crude bomb explosions and acts of sabotage. We are fully alert to stop any such activities,” he stated.
On security concerns ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election, Commissioner Sajjat Ali assured that the police are maintaining the highest level of vigilance to prevent any anti-state activities.
He also commented on police preparedness for the election, noting that Bangladesh has not experienced a major participatory election in the last 17 years.
“Nearly half of the current 200,000 police personnel were recruited during this period, many of whom have never voted or served in election duties before. Training programmes are ongoing nationwide to prepare the police force for the upcoming election,” he added.
