‘People asking us to stay for 5 more years’

Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury yesterday said that people are telling them to stay for five more years.

"Law and order situation in the country has improved. Efforts to maintain law and order have intensified and will increase further. People are telling us, 'You should stay for five more years,'" he said while speaking to reporters after visiting the Shantiganj Police Station in Sunamganj.

Responding to a query about India's reply to the return of Sheikh Hasina, the adviser said, "We have an agreement with India regarding the repatriation of criminals. She might be brought back under this agreement. However, there is no possibility of a conflict with India."

He added, "Those involved in criminal activities are being brought under the law. In the future, if anyone engages in such activities, they also will face legal action. Some of our firearms were looted. We are continuing efforts to recover them. The situation will improve further once these are recovered. Locals also need to cooperate in this regard."

Earlier, the adviser said that police officers no longer fear mob violence as they once did. "The situation has significantly improved," he said while speaking to reporters at the Airport Police Station in Sylhet.

Referring to recent unrest in the Sylhet region, Jahangir said legal action has been taken against all involved. "Many have been arrested."

Commenting on shifts within the police force, he said, "There have been considerable changes. During Ramadan, law and order situation was far better than that of previous years."

Responding to a question about arrestees being snatched from police custody, the adviser said, "Those involved in such incidents are being brought to justice. If you have specific information, report it immediately, and we will act.

"Sometimes, police respond late due to a lack of vehicles and other logistics. Many of their cars were burnt, and even police stations were torched. Due to a lengthy fund allocation process, we haven't been able to provide them with new vehicles yet."

Meanwhile, upon arriving at the Airport Police Station in Sylhet, the adviser expressed displeasure at the red carpet rolled out for him and a makeshift stage prepared for his welcome.

Refusing to step on the carpet, he instead greeted on-duty police personnel with handshakes.

Jahangir immediately instructed Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim to remove the carpet. "I told you not to do this, so why is it still here? Get rid of it now."