Ending killings isn't as simple as turning off a switch: Home adviser

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury today (8 December) said stopping killings or eliminating crime is not something that can be achieved through magic.

"I don't have any magic that can instantly stop everything," he told reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting of the advisory council on law and order.

Clarifying his position on preventing murders, the adviser said, "Stopping killings or murder is not like magic or switching a light on and off. If it were that simple, I would have done it. But I don't have any magic."

Asked whether the Jatiyo Party (JaPa) is being prevented from campaigning and whether a level playing field will be ensured, he said, "For the 13th parliamentary election and the referendum, equal opportunity exists for everyone."

Commenting on the current activities of political parties, he said, "Political parties have already heated up the field. Many people now don't want to come out of their homes – they fear catching a cold. Are we stopping them? Their (JaPa's) problems regarding their office are their own."

On preparations by law enforcement agencies for a fair election, Jahangir said, "Preparations for the election are very good. All forces are continuing their training. We will inspect the training sites to assess the quality."

He said all forces will complete their training by January. "Whatever preparations are needed for a fair, acceptable and festive election are being taken. Proper training is required for all these preparations," he added.

Referring to a change in the polling schedule, the adviser said, "This time voting will take place from 7:30am to 4:30pm. Previously, it was from 8am to 4pm. Once daylight fades, counting must start, so uninterrupted electricity supply must be ensured. These issues were discussed."

When asked about the recovery of the throat-slit bodies of a freedom fighter and his wife yesterday (7 December) in Taraganj of Rangpur, the adviser said, "Instructions have already been issued to arrest the killers."

At the briefing, he also said that operations are ongoing to recover weapons looted from various police stations during the mass uprising.