Nahid, Hasnat, Sarjis and Jara Receive Gunmen for Security

The government has taken initiative to ensure personal security of personalities involved in the 2024 July-August movement, coordinators, parliament member candidates and top leaders of various political parties. As part of this, gunmen (security guards) have been provided to several who were in the forefront of the movement. Alongside, the matter of giving personal arms licences for self-defence is also under process.

Police sources informed media that the list includes former adviser of interim government and convener of National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam, chief coordinator of south region of NCP Hasnat Abdullah, senior joint member secretary Tasnim Jara and chief coordinator (north region) Sarjis Alam.

Besides, several politicians and parliament member candidates have applied for gunmen and arms licences. Among them, application has been made to home ministry for round-the-clock gunman and armed police members for residence security of Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman. Security has been sought for Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Colonel (retd) Oli Ahmed, chief coordinator of Ganasanghati Andolon Zonayed Saki, general secretary of Islami Andolon Bangladesh Yunus Ahmed and others.

Beyond this, special security is being provided to the family of martyr Osman Hadi who was vocal in anti-fascism and anti-hegemony movement. One sister of Hadi is getting licence and gunman. Round-the-clock police security will be provided for other members. High-level sources of home ministry and police confirmed these information to media.

Meanwhile, home ministry sources said so far applications of 15 politicians seeking security, gunman or arms licence have reached them. The number is increasing day by day. Many are inquiring how to apply. Alongside politicians, about 25 government officials have also applied for arms licence.

In this regard, Police IG Baharul Alam told media, those who are more vulnerable have been given one armed guard. Those who are less at risk have been given some advice on how to move. When and to whom what to inform.

Another police officer said we are taking security measures based on information received from various intelligence agencies. List has been prepared of those identified as important persons by intelligence and considered to have security risk. Working on priority basis analysing that list. Those seeking security all demand gunman. Some have sought arms alongside gunman. Arms matter depends on home ministry and district administrator.

He said Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Special Branch (SB) of police have also started providing gunmen. But it is not possible to provide to all. Because gunmen have been sought for many. Supplying so many gunmen is not possible for police. But being given to those with 'potential threat'. The officer said there is problem largely in giving gunmen. Because many of them are students. Many travel in rickshaw. Some use public transport. Giving gunmen to such persons is difficult. Thinking is ongoing on how to solve this.

Inquiry revealed officially no one has been given gunman yet. But those given by DMP and SB are unofficially and temporarily. Decision will be taken on their permanent security once ministry receives their applications.

Additional IGP (Crime and Ops) Khondakar Rafiqul Islam told media, appropriate measures are being taken regarding those among July fighters and parliament member candidates who sought security from us. Not all are seeking security through police headquarters. Some are seeking through SB, again some through other units.

He said July fighters are many, similarly election candidates are also many. But not all are at risk. Instructions have been given to concerned district SP, range DIG and metropolitan commissioners to provide security to those considered at security risk.

To confirm the matter, multiple calls were made to top NCP leaders including Nahid Islam, Sarjis Alam and Hasnat Abdullah but they could not be reached.