Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Sunday called on the police to play an impartial role in ensuring that the upcoming 13th parliamentary election is conducted in a free, fair and festive manner.
"The police officers who will show negligence to perform their duties impartially will be brought to book immediately," he said, replying to questions from journalists a 'core committee meeting' on law and order at the Home Ministry in the Bangladesh Secretariat here.
Jahangir added that the electoral enquiry committee will act promptly against the biased policemen.
"My directive to the police is to help hold the next general elections in a free, fair, credible and festive manner," he said.
The home adviser warned individuals making provocative speeches online, both from within the country and abroad.
"Most of the provocative speeches are now coming from abroad. Some are doing the same while residing in the country. Stricter action will be taken against them," he noted.
On the issue of looted firearms of police personnel, the adviser said that efforts are underway to recover those.
Regarding extrajudicial killings, he said that those found involved will face justice regardless of their identities.
Replying to queries on bringing back fugitive police officers who fled abroad following the July Mass Uprising, he said, "We are trying our best to repatriate the police officers who fled abroad."
He added that discussions are going on with countries that have extradition treaties with Bangladesh to facilitate their return.
The home adviser called on the media to continue reporting on this matter to ensure transparency and accountability.
