Public security top priority during nat'l election

Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Md Abdul Mannan yesterday said the administration has placed top priority on law and order and public security during the upcoming national election.

“Different quarters may hatch conspiracies to create unrest during election... We are working to keep a congenial atmosphere for election by maintaining law and order in every district so that the people feel free to cast votes,” he said.

He made the statements after holding a special meeting on law and order situation at the port city's Circuit House. Deputy commissioners (DCs), superintendents of police (SPs), returning officer (RO), assistant returning officers (AROs) and other election officials of 11 districts under the division were present.

Talking to reporters, Manan said, “We are on alert so that no one can create anarchy ahead of the national election, which is scheduled for December 30... and, ensuring public security is our main aim.”

Admitting that sometimes legal and licensed firearms are used illegally during election, Mannan said, “We are preparing a list of legal arms owners, and directives were given to law enforcement agencies to intensity drives to recover illegal firearms and ammunition. We will also check whether the legal arms are now in possession of their owners.”

Asked about the risky constituencies in Chattogram, the divisional commissioner said the administration will identify the risky and violence-prone areas based on information about  election candidates after their nomination.

In response to another query, Deputy Inspector General Khandker Golam Faruq said there is no possible threat of militant attacks during the elections, but police have taken preparations as per the Election Commission's directives.