Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today expressed hope that the security situation would improve with the gradual deployment of security forces ahead of the elections.
“We hope the coming days will be much better. With the gradual deployment of security forces, the situation will further improve, In Sha Allah,” he said, responding to a question while briefing journalists at the Foreign Service Academy here this afternoon.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were present at the briefing.
The briefing was arranged to share the outcomes of the Council of Advisers’ meeting held with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
Replying to another question, Shafiqul Alam said that political parties have so far shown restraint and tolerance while carrying out election campaigns.
Noting that according to police data, so far four people have been killed until today since the formal election campaign started on January 22, he said, “If you compare this with previous elections, though it is tough to reach conclusion as two weeks still left to the polls, you will see that 115 people were killed before elections on January 5 in 2014”.
“In that reality, we believe that there is still a sufficient level of tolerance among the political parties. They are campaigning in a good manner and they are abiding by electoral laws and following the code of conduct,” the press secretary said.
He, however, acknowledged that “a few isolated incidents” have taken place.
Speaking about the violent incident in Sherpur on Wednesday, where a Jamaat-e-Islami leader was killed, Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said the government has already issued a statement condemning the incident.
At the same time, he said, the police administration was instructed to take immediate action, investigate the incident thoroughly, identify those responsible, and arrest them as quickly as possible.
Noting that the law enforcement agencies are currently analyzing video footage of the incident, along with available information and witness testimony, to accurately identify those who are genuinely responsible, Azad said once properly identified, the perpetrators will be arrested and brought to justice.