Legal action will be taken immediately if roads blocked: Home Adviser

Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has warned that immediate legal action will be taken against anyone blocking roads.

He made the statement while briefing journalists after a meeting of the advisory council committee on law and order at the Home Ministry conference room at the Secretariat on Monday, January 5.

The home adviser said the interim government was determined to maintain peace and order across the country. Emphasising the importance of stability ahead of the upcoming election, he said the authorities had placed the highest priority on ensuring that the law and order situation was not disrupted in any way.

He said instructions had been issued to strengthen nationwide intelligence surveillance to keep the overall law and order situation normal and under control. Law enforcement operations would be further intensified, made more proactive and coordinated through the sharing of intelligence among all agencies.

The meeting also decided to take steps to prevent the spread of rumours on social media, protect communal harmony and strengthen security along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border. The adviser also urged transport owners and drivers to remain cautious to avoid road accidents amid dense fog caused by the ongoing cold wave.

Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the interim government remained committed to holding elections on time. He said law enforcement agencies would have unrestricted access to polling centres and any other locations to ensure security during the election period. Instructions were also given to complete the training of election-related officials quickly.