'You waste time by maintaining protocol, can't do actual work': Home adviser fumes over Sylhet police red carpet reception

Home Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, during a visit to the Airport police station in Sylhet city this afternoon (10 April), was angered by the red carpet and guard of honour set up for the metropolitan police for him. 

Irate, he said, "Take this away [the red carpet]. Why is it here? Take it away now. Don't do what I haven't asked for. Do what I tell you to do."

Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Md Rezaul Karim was present beside the adviser during the incident. 

He tried to calm the situation, saying, "This is being done because this is your first visit here."

In response, the adviser grew even more upset, saying, "What does it matter that it's my first visit? I have told you repeatedly not to do these things. By doing this protocol, you're running out of time. You can't do your main work." 

While muttering angrily, he shook hands with the police officers present, who were there to give him the guard of honour. After the incident, he went on to inspect the police station.

Speaking to journalists after the visit, Adviser Lieutenant General (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, "The police have still not been restructured. During the events of 5 August, many vehicles and police stations were burned. Even now, not a single vehicle has been provided to them. If the budget is allocated, the system can be further improved."

The adviser acknowledged improvements in law and order, stating, "There has been a significant improvement in law and order compared to before. The police are not afraid of mob justice. If anyone tries to take the law into their own hands, the police will take action."

He also mentioned that not all weapons have been recovered yet, adding, "The government is trying to recover the stolen weapons. If they remain outside, there will be a security threat."

Regarding the Interpol red notice against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the adviser said, "There are no new updates on that matter."

After the inspection, the adviser left for Sunamganj.

Attempts to contact Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Rezaul Karim for comment on the adviser's anger were unsuccessful. 

However, multiple police officers confirmed that the red carpet was removed immediately after the adviser expressed his displeasure with the setup.

Earlier in February, three advisers of the interim government inaugurated canal excavation work in Dhaka today (2 February), stepping onto a red carpet before boarding a floating excavator, which drew criticism from netizens.

The event marked the launch of renovation activities for six canals under Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations in Mirpur-13.

Present at the inauguration were Environment, Forest, Climate Change, and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing, Public Works, and Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, and Local Government, Rural Development, Cooperatives, and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan.