Political parties to receive security protocols ahead of polls
Police authorities will provide security protocols to all political parties ahead of the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections and referendum, issuing detailed guidelines to ensure the safety of political leaders and prospective candidates.
The protocols will include measures to secure residences, party offices, movement, public gatherings, and online activities, with the aim of minimising security risks during the election period.
Authorities have also decided to extend additional protection to frontline leaders of the mass uprising and other key political figures.
Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, confirmed the matter on Sunday, December 14.
He said law enforcement agencies have identified the attackers and their accomplices involved in the recent attack on Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha and a potential independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, and that efforts are underway to arrest them through intensified operations.
Police have already seized the motorcycle used in the attack and are conducting fingerprint analysis of the suspects.
To prevent the principal suspect from fleeing the country, photographs and identifying details were circulated to all immigration checkpoints on Friday night, Azad said.
Security patrols have also been intensified along border areas by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Although suspects have been tracked multiple times within the country, authorities said arrests have so far been unsuccessful as the suspects frequently change their locations.
Investigators have also obtained the travel history of the main suspect, which shows he travelled to several countries over the past few years, reportedly identifying himself as an IT entrepreneur.
Records indicate his most recent overseas travel was to Singapore on July 21.
Several other individuals suspected of involvement in the attack have been placed under active surveillance, police said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday summoned the Indian High Commissioner and iterated Bangladesh’s request for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, both convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal.
During the meeting, Bangladeshi authorities alleged that Sheikh Hasina, currently residing in India, has been making provocative statements and encouraging activities aimed at undermining peace, stability, and the upcoming elections in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh urged the Indian government to take steps to prevent such actions and sought cooperation to stop suspects in the attempted killing of Sharif Osman Hadi from fleeing to India. Authorities also requested that, should the suspects enter Indian territory, they be detained and extradited to Bangladesh.
MU/MHK