Beware of infiltrators, interim govt tells political parties

Ahead of the national election and referendum, the interim government has warned that agents of fascist forces and saboteurs may attempt to infiltrate political parties.

The concern emerged during an advisory committee meeting on law and order at the Secretariat today.

The meeting also discussed the formulation of a new ordinance to ensure the protection of leaders involved in the July Uprising, including student leaders who played a key role in the nationwide movement, sources familiar with the meeting told The Daily Star.

At least two responsible sources, who attended the meeting, confirmed that the decision to draft the ordinance had already been made, and the discussion focused on its progress, with the ordinance likely to be enacted soon.

Another key issue discussed at the meeting was the preservation of communal harmony during the election period, said an official.

Following the meeting, Home Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury called for heightened vigilance from political parties. He stressed that any attempt by saboteurs to exploit inter-party rivalries must be stopped at all costs.

“We’ve advised political parties to stay alert and ensure that agents of disruptive forces do not infiltrate their ranks and sow chaos. Mutual accusations must not provide a window for these saboteurs to act,” Jahangir warned.

The home adviser further reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to holding the elections as scheduled despite attempts by some to derail the process. He instructed law enforcement agencies to adopt a more stringent approach to prevent any disruptions.

An official present at the meeting said surveillance efforts have been ramped up nationwide. Intelligence agencies have been tasked with intensifying monitoring, while law enforcement agencies will coordinate closely to maintain order. There is also a focus on expediting the training of all security forces and election-related personnel, the official confirmed.

The government has made it clear that political activities, including rallies and campaigns, will be closely monitored to ensure the law and order situation remains stable.

“I urge the public and all political parties to cooperate in ensuring a fair and peaceful election by adhering to the electoral code of conduct,” Jahangir added.

The meeting also discussed maintaining peace between communities and preventing the spread of rumours and inflammatory statements on social media. “Strict measures have been outlined to curb the spread of harmful content,” the home adviser said.

In an ongoing effort to tackle cybercrime, the government has decided to bolster the security of critical telecommunications and financial institutions. Officials confirmed that online activities would be more closely monitored to combat cybercrime effectively.

The meeting also reviewed a series of measures to ensure law and order during the election period. “Law enforcement agencies will have the authority to enter polling centres or any location at any time to prevent any attempts to disrupt the peace,” the home adviser said.

The government has also issued a zero-tolerance policy towards actions causing public inconvenience, such as road blockades or unnecessary disruptions, according to meeting sources.

Law enforcement agencies have been directed to take immediate action if such incidents occur.

The meeting reviewed the overall law and order situation in the country, as well as the progress of ongoing operations, including the high-profile “Devil Hunt Phase-2”.

Launched on December 13, this operation has led to the arrest of 14,569 individuals as of January 4, 2026. Authorities have seized 201 firearms, over 1,500 rounds of ammunition, 165 locally-made weapons, and a range of explosives.

The operation has been intensified with additional checkpoints and patrols to prevent terrorists and criminals from evading capture. It also aims to recover illegal arms and prevent their potential use.

The law and order meeting also covered the situation along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, addressing smuggling, drug trafficking, and other cross-border crimes. Enhanced security measures, including regular patrols and special operations, have been put in place to secure the border regions, according to the meeting’s outcome.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh