Political leaders start getting armed escorts

Law enforcers have started providing security to top political leaders and election officials ahead of the national election after assessing their security risks or threats.

Alongside gunmen, some leaders are receiving police escorts and house guard deployments at their residences. 

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has provided police security and escorts, and gunmen, to 15 political leaders and government officials, according to officials of the home ministry and the DMP.

Additionally, the Special Branch has provided gunmen to 17 individuals, most of whom reside in Dhaka and nearby areas, Khondoker Rafiqul Islam, additional inspector general of Police Headquarters, told The Daily Star yesterday. 

In addition to security for leaders, the government has also decided to issue firearms on application, The Daily Star has learnt from home ministry officials involved with the proceedings.

Following that decision, many leaders have applied for firearms, and at least 100 people have applied for gun licences so far, they said.

Among the top political leaders receiving police escorts are BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, said a senior official at the DMP. 

Besides them, four election commissioners and the chief election commissioner are also receiving police escorts from the DMP.

For the Jamaat ameer’s security, the home ministry issued a letter on January 12 requesting the Inspector General of Police to arrange a gunman and deploy uniformed police members at his residence in Uttara citing existing security risks or threats.

In another letter issued on January 6, the ministry requested action to strengthen security, including gunmen, for three political figures: Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, emir of Islami Andolon Bangladesh (IAB); BNP’s Meherpur-1 candidate Masud Arun; and Zonayed Saki, the chief coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon.

The move to provide security to political leaders and July protagonists comes amid concerns over candidates’ safety following the shooting of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, an MP aspirant for Dhaka-8, a day after the election schedule was announced on December 11.

So far, eight political killings have taken place since the announcement of the election schedule, according to media reports and Ain o Salish Kendra. 

After the incident sparked widespread discussion and criticism at home and abroad, the government decided to provide adequate security to political party leaders, according to home ministry officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak with the media.

The government directed that a list be prepared of leaders facing security risks. In line with that instruction, police units carried out detailed inquiries and prepared a report containing such a list.

The list includes names of 127 leaders from almost all parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party. The list was compiled with key leaders from Dhaka and different districts.

In another major development on December 14, the government issued policy guidelines on granting firearm licences and appointing retainers (persons to carry firearms) for individuals who are politically important and candidates contesting the national election. 

Under the policy, the government will grant a licence or retainer after scrutiny by the district magistrate and intelligence agencies. The guideline says an approved firearms licence issued under this framework will remain valid until 15 days after the election results are published, after which it will be treated as automatically cancelled. 

Police are also providing a gunman to the returning officer of the Dhaka 13 and Dhaka 15 constituencies, according to DMP officials.

They are also providing security to Bangladesh Jatiya Party Chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partho; Gono Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Rashed Khan; BNP’s Dhaka-13 candidate Bobby Hajjaj; and Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Huq.

Besides these two, the DMP also provided a gunman and a house guard to the editors of two national daily newspapers. 

Mohammad Moniruzzaman, special superintendent (protocol) of the SB, declined to disclose the exact number of people receiving police protection citing security reasons. 

“We are providing security, and gunmen based on threats and risks, and the number is updated every day,” he told The Daily Star.

Besides this, different police units across the country are providing security to vulnerable candidates based on security assessment, according to home ministry officials.

Without disclosing the exact figure, Hasib Aziz, commissioner of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said that they have already provided security to some individuals and the list is constantly updated.

Meanwhile, at least 153 election candidates now possess licensed firearms. BNP has the highest number of candidates with firearms (92), followed by Jatiya Party (12), IAB (five), Jamaat-e-Islami (four), Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon and Gono Odhikar Parishad (two). Around 28 independent candidates reported licensed firearms. 

The remaining eight candidates with licensed firearms belong to other parties.