Gunman granted to Nahid, Hasnat, Sarjis and Hadi's sister

The government has decided to provide special security to members of the family of Shaheed Osman Hadi, who was actively involved in anti-fascism and anti-hegemony movements. One of Hadi’s sisters is being given a personal firearm licence and a gunman, while round-the-clock police protection will be strengthened for other family members.

Government sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police administration are jointly working to ensure personal security for July movement activists, movement coordinators, parliamentary candidates and senior leaders of various political parties. As part of this effort, several frontline activists have already been provided with gunmen, and the process of issuing personal firearm licences is under way.

Those on the list include former interim government adviser and National Citizen Party convener Nahid Islam, NCP southern region chief coordinator Hasnat Abdullah, senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara and northern region chief coordinator Sarjis Alam. Several other politicians and prospective parliamentary candidates have also applied for gunmen and firearm licences. Among them are Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman and Bangladesh Jatiya Party chairman Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, who have sought personal security from Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

Based on priority assessments, decisions may soon be taken to provide gunmen and firearm licences to several politicians, including Ganosamhati Andolon chief coordinator Junaid Saki, BNP-nominated parliamentary candidates Tanvir Ahmed Robin and Zafir Tuhin, Jatiya Party chairman and former minister Anwar Hossain Manju, and LDP president Colonel Oli Ahmed, retd.

Senior officials at the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police said maintaining normal law and order ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election is a major challenge. Intelligence reports indicating plots to sabotage the election have prompted enhanced security for individuals deemed at risk.

Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam said one armed guard has been assigned to those facing higher security risks, while those at comparatively lower risk have been given specific movement guidelines. The Special Branch and Dhaka Metropolitan Police are also providing temporary security based on intelligence assessments.

Police officials noted that although demand for gunmen is high, manpower shortages make it impossible to meet all requests. Providing gunmen to students and regular public transport users is particularly complex. However, measures are being taken on a priority basis following risk analysis.

Sources at the Ministry of Home Affairs said formal security cannot be provided without written applications. So far, 12 such applications have been submitted, and final decisions are expected soon after review.

Police officials added that enhanced surveillance and force deployment will continue at the movements, programmes and public gatherings of July movement activists and prospective candidates who face genuine security risks.