The government has moved to strengthen the personal security of July movement fighters, coordinators, parliamentary candidates and senior political leaders amid growing concerns over law and order ahead of the 13th national parliamentary elections.
As part of the initiative, several frontline figures of the July movement have been provided with gunmen, while the process of issuing personal firearms licences is under way.
Those receiving security include former interim government adviser and National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam, NCP southern region chief coordinator Hasnat Abdullah, senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara, and northern region chief coordinator Sarjis Alam.
Maintaining law and order ahead of the polls has emerged as a major challenge for the interim government. Intelligence agencies have warned of conspiracies by what officials describe as “fascist elements” aimed at destabilising the electoral process.
July movement fighters have reportedly faced sustained threats since August 5 last year, the day former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fell from power. Government sources claim that activists linked to the banned Awami League and Chhatra League – some in hiding inside the country and others abroad – have been issuing death threats. Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, is also accused of inciting party supporters.
The killing of Osman Hadi, a prominent July movement activist and spokesperson for the Inqilab Mancha, has intensified security concerns. Hadi had reportedly received death threats from foreign phone numbers for several months before he was shot dead on December 12. Despite receiving advanced medical treatment at home and abroad, he could not be saved.
Following Hadi’s death, the government reassessed the security risks faced by July fighters and anti-fascist activists. Intelligence reports indicate that several figures, including AB Party leader Barrister Fuad and NCP coordinator Hasnat Abdullah, remain under constant threat.
Several politicians and parliamentary candidates have formally applied for gunmen and firearms licences.
Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr Shafiqur Rahman and Bangladesh Jatiya Party (JP) chairman Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partha are already receiving gunmen from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
Others expected to receive security include Ganosamhati Andolan chief coordinator Zonayed Saki, BNP-nominated candidate Tanvir Ahmed Robin from Demra-Jatrabari, BNP candidate Zafir Tuhin from Pabna-3, JP chairman and former minister Anwar Hossain Manju, and Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, among others.
Special security arrangements have also been made for the family of Osman Hadi. One of his sisters is being issued a firearms licence and provided with a gunman, while round-the-clock police protection will be extended to other family members.
Senior officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police confirmed the developments. They said many July movement fighters across the country have sought gunmen and weapons licences, though it is not feasible to provide gunmen to everyone due to manpower constraints. Many applicants are students without personal vehicles and rely on public transport, making close-protection arrangements impractical.
Nonetheless, the government is considering additional security measures for at-risk activists as well as potential candidates from BNP, Jamaat, NCP and allied parties. Applications submitted in writing are being prioritised, officials said.
A senior police officer said security decisions are being made based on intelligence assessments. “A list has been prepared identifying individuals at risk. Work is under way on a priority basis. Not everyone seeking gunmen can be accommodated,” he said, adding that firearms licences fall under the jurisdiction of the Home Ministry and district administration.
Home Ministry sources said that as of Sunday, 12 written applications had been received, with a meeting scheduled in the coming days to determine further action. While no July movement activist has formally applied for firearms so far, several parliamentary candidates have sought both gunmen and weapons.
Officials clarified that gunmen currently assigned by the DMP and Special Branch are on a temporary basis. Permanent arrangements will be finalised once applications are approved by the ministry.
Following a meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order on Monday (December 22), Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said individuals identified as being at risk had already been given one gunman each based on intelligence assessments by DGFI, NSI and SB.
Asked whether all those receiving gunmen were politicians, he declined to comment directly, saying journalists should “investigate and find out”.