Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday acknowledged that although the country's law and order situation has "slightly improved," it is still "not satisfactory."
"We are changing almost all of Dhaka's police. It will take them time to familiarise themselves with the alleys. Building their intelligence network will also require time," he stated.
He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka.
The Home Affairs Adviser further mentioned, "The law-and-order situation has improved compared to before, but it still needs to get better. It hasn't reached a fully satisfactory level yet. If you ask me how the situation is, it's just satisfactory, but it needs to improve further."
Requesting time for improvements, he reiterated, "As you know, we are changing almost all of Dhaka's police. It will take time for them to get to know every alley. Developing their intelligence network will also take time."
"We've also made many changes in the BGB. This is why it’s taking some time, but the situation is gradually improving. There will be further improvements in the future."
Emphasizing that no criminal, no matter how influential, should be spared, Jahangir Alam said, "Previously, many powerful criminals used to get away. That will no longer be allowed."
Speaking about directives given to the BGB, the Home Affairs Adviser highlighted, "They must maintain a cordial relationship with the people. Since the BGB operates on the borders, they need to have a good rapport with the public. A positive relationship with the people makes their job easier, as the public often provides various kinds of assistance."
When asked about the BGB's stance on preventing the influx of Rohingya refugees, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, "Unauthorized entry is prohibited, but there is a humanitarian aspect. You know, there is constant gunfire in that belt. Those who do enter are often sent back, and only a small number of Rohingya manage to get through. We already have 1.2 million Rohingya, and now it's about 1.3 million. Some are still entering, which I do not deny, but they will be sent back."
When asked why the police were silent when the Jatiya Party office, located just 50 yards from the Ramna Police Station, was set on fire, the Home Affairs Adviser said, "I am not aware of this right now, so I can't give an answer. I will look into it."
Earlier in the morning, the Home Affairs Adviser visited the BGB headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka. At 9 am, he participated in an exchange of views at the Pilkhana Border Conference Centre with senior BGB officers, officials of other ranks, junior officers, and BGB members of all levels.
BGB Director General Major General Mohammad Ashraful Zaman Siddique and other senior officials of the BGB were also present at the event.