Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Wednesday said that threats issued by individuals who have fled the country and are staying abroad have no value, asserting that anyone with courage should return home and face the law.
“Those who have fled can say many things. If they have the courage, they should come back to the country and speak under the law. Talking from abroad has no value,” he said.
The adviser made the remarks while responding to journalists’ questions after the concluding ceremony of 104th Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Recruit Passing Out Parade at Bir Uttam Mujibur Rahman Parade Ground of Border Guard Training Centre and College (BGT&C) at Baitul Izzat of Satkania in Chattogram, around 11:00 AM.
Asked about repeated threats allegedly made in connection with the election by former prime minister and her son, the adviser reiterated that statements from fugitives should not be taken seriously unless they return and face legal processes.
Regarding security preparations for the upcoming national election, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the number of security personnel is being increased to prevent any disorder.
“No one will be allowed to create chaos. If everyone cooperates, the election will be held peacefully,” he added.
On the issue of border violations by the Arakan Army, the home adviser said Myanmar is a legitimate state, but parts of the Rakhine border area are currently under the control of the Arakan Army, as Myanmar military is not present there, creating complications for Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh remains in contact with Myanmar government and lodges protests whenever border incidents occur.
However, the Arakan Army has not been recognised as a legitimate authority and continues to create instability along the border. He also referred to a recent incident in which a child was injured by gunfire.
The adviser noted that clashes between Myanmar military and Arakan Army sometimes result in shells landing inside Bangladeshi territory. Bangladesh has protested such incidents and is taking all necessary preparations to prevent their recurrence.
When asked whether the government is considering sealing the border, he said security forces are always deployed along the frontier and no one will be spared if they attempt to create unrest through the border.
Responding to a question about whether supporters of the former fugitive government exist within the security forces, the home adviser categorically denied it, saying no such individuals are present in the forces.
Referring to the recruitment of a record 3,023 soldiers into BGB, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the parade ground has hosted passing out parades for the last 44 years, usually for 800 to 1,000 recruits.
“This is the first time more than 3,000 recruits have completed training here,” he said, adding that they are being rapidly deployed to various units.
He said the large-scale recruitment aims to ensure that the upcoming national election, scheduled for February 12, is held in a peaceful, fair, neutral and festive atmosphere, with the newly recruited forces playing a key role in maintaining security.
SH
