Strict action against involvement of law enforcement agencies in politics: Home Affairs Advisor

Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has issued a stern warning about maintaining neutrality in the elections while performing duties in the 13th National Parliament election and referendum. He said that if the Coast Guard or law enforcement agencies are involved in any person, party or political activities, departmental and strict legal action will be taken against the concerned member.
The advisor said this while speaking as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal presentation ceremony organized at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday (February 3) morning. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the government will not show any flexibility regarding the neutrality of Coast Guard members in performing duties in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum.
Highlighting the contribution of the Coast Guard members, he said that the Coast Guard is working bravely to ensure security in the coastal area and inland waterways, prevent illegal fishing, suppress arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, robbery and piracy. In addition, the force is also successfully conducting rescue operations for accident-hit ships and sailors through regular patrols.
Praising the role of the Coast Guard in combating natural disasters, he further said that the role of the Coast Guard in raising awareness of the coastal people in cyclones, floods and other disasters, rescue and relief distribution, distribution of winter clothes and life jackets and resolving the Rohingya crisis is highly commendable. The Home Affairs Advisor said that in addition to preventing human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling by ensuring security in the border river areas, the Bangladesh Coast Guard is also playing an important role in ensuring regional maritime security. In recognition of this contribution, various countries including the United States and Australia have praised the force and expressed their interest in working together.
Regarding the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum, he said that about 9,00,000 law enforcement officers, including 3,585 members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, have been deployed across the country to ensure free, fair, peaceful and impartial elections. As part of this, 100 platoons have already been deployed in different districts of Barisal, Chittagong and Khulna divisions. Describing corruption as the biggest enemy of the state, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that corruption corrodes state institutions from within and destroys the trust of the people. At the ceremony, 40 Coast Guard members were awarded medals for their meritorious contribution in the performance of their duties. Senior Secretary of the Ministry Nasimul Gani and Director General of the Coast Guard Rear Admiral Md. Ziaul Haque and senior officials were present.