Domestic adviser vows to get tough on crime, regardless of political affiliation

Domestic Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today promised a zero-tolerance policy towards criminals and said political affiliations would not protect anyone from legal action.

“Regardless of which party the perpetrator belongs to, they will be arrested and brought under the law,” he said at a press conference at the secretariat after a special meeting to assess the law and order situation in Dhaka.

The meeting, attended by senior officials from the army, police, Bangladesh Border Guards, Rapid Action Battalion and intelligence agencies, was aimed at strengthening security in Dhaka, a home ministry press release said.

Jahangir acknowledged improvements in law enforcement, but highlighted further opportunities for improvement.

“Our law and order situation is better than before, but there is room for further improvement,” he said, adding that successful measures implemented in areas like Mohammadpur would be replicated across Dhaka to curb the crimes curb.

The consultant pointed out that the increase in the number of illegal roadside shops and unauthorized vehicles such as battery-operated rickshaws are major contributors to traffic problems in Dhaka.

“Instructions have been issued to remove illegal shops from the roads and measures are underway to curb battery-operated rickshaws,” he said, noting that the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources would play a role in regulating their charging facilities.

The advisor expressed concern over escalating extortion and said strong measures would be taken to curb the practice.

To address the challenges posed by new law enforcement personnel who were unfamiliar with the network of alleys in Dhaka, he requested the public’s patience.

“It was a public demand to rotate officials in Dhaka; they will need time to adapt and build an intelligence network.”

Various crime prevention strategies were discussed during the meeting, including strengthening intelligence and coordinating law enforcement efforts, the notice said.

Key priorities include preventing extortion in high traffic areas such as Mohakhali, Gabtoli and Sayedabad; strengthening the fight against drugs and illegal firearms; and installing CCTV in crime-prone areas, including the Geneva camp and major slums, it added.

Additional initiatives include measures to reduce youth gang activity, prevent illegal sidewalk occupations and combat fraud, digital crime and money laundering.

Public gatherings now require permission from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and Suhrawardy Udyan has been recommended as an alternative venue for such events in the busy Shahbagh area.