Divisional commissioner seeks extra security for ROs
Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram Md Abdul Mannan, also the returning officer (RO) of six constituencies in the port city, yesterday sought beefed-up security from police ahead of the national election, scheduled for December 30.
Voicing his frustration, he also said despite sending official letters to authorities concerned for tightening security of him and other ROs in the division, there has been no response yet.
He made the remarks while addressing the divisional-level monthly law and order meeting, held at Chattogram Circuit House. With Mannan in the chair, deputy commissioners (DCs) under Chattogram division and high officials of Rapid Action Battalion, police, Border Guard Bangladesh and other security agencies were present.
“The upcoming seven days are very important and volatile. Our officials are receiving threats over telephone from unknown criminals centring the election. I urge the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and deputy inspector general (DIG) of Chattogram to ensure enough security for ROs,” said Abdul Mannan.
“Being an RO is pleasure a for me on one hand, and on the other hand it is a risky job, as there are several sensitive constituencies in the port city. It is the duty of the police to ensure our [ROs'] security,” said Divisional Commissioner Mannan.
Replying to his query, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) Kusum Dewan told the meeting, “CMP will take necessity steps to tighten the security of ROs if it is inadequate.”
Additional DIG (Crime and Operation) Mohammed Abul Faiz told the meeting that police officials have also been receiving threats from unidentified criminals over phone and SMS centring the election.
“They [the criminals] are issuing threats to demoralise law enforcers so that they cannot perform their duty properly during election,” said Abul Faiz.
“But we are not paying much heed to these because if we do, we cannot perform our duties,” he added.
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