The government has assigned gunmen to 20 high-risk individuals, including six top leaders of the National Citizen Party (NCP), editors of daily Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, as part of heightened personal security measures ahead of the upcoming national election.
Home Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury told journalists on Monday after a Law and Order Committee meeting at the secretariat that while the country’s overall security situation remained normal, these individuals were identified as facing serious risks.
Several frontline leaders of the July movement have already been provided with personal protection, and the Ministry of Home Affairs said the process of issuing personal firearm licenses for self-defense is ongoing.
NCP leaders on security list
Police sources said the NCP leaders who have received gunmen include:
- Nahid Islam, former adviser to the interim government and NCP convener
- Akhtar Hossain, member secretary
- Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator (South)
- Sarjis Alam, chief coordinator (North)
- Nasiruddin Patwari, chief coordinator
- Tasnim Jara, senior joint member secretary
Other high-profile figures on the list include Nurul Haque Nur and Md Rashed Khan, president and general secretary of Gono Odhikar Parishad, respectively.
Other political figures seeking protection
Applications for gunmen and arms licenses have also been submitted by several other politicians and election candidates. Among them are:
- Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, requesting full-time gunmen and armed police protection
- Anwar Hossain Manju (JP Chairman)
- Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho
- Colonel (Retd.) Oli Ahmed (LDP President)
- Zonayed Saki (Gonosamhati Andolan)
- Yunus Ahmed Sheikh (Islami Andolon Bangladesh)
Additionally, the family of Shaheed Osman Hadi, a prominent activist in the anti-fascism and anti-hegemony movement, was being brought under special security. One sister has been granted an arms license and a gunman, while full-time police protection will be provided for other family members.
Home Ministry sources said, to date, at least 15 politicians and nearly 25 government officials have applied for arms licenses or security details. Intelligence agencies are reviewing applications to prioritize protection for those at greatest risk.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said: “Gunmen have been assigned to those at high risk. Stopping targeted killings is a difficult task; no country in the world has been fully successful at it. We are striving to keep law and order under control ahead of the elections.”
Meanwhile, a meeting to review the national security situation was held at the state guest house, Jamuna. Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus stressed that law and order must be maintained at all costs as the country approaches the national election.
