‘People say we should stay for 5 more years’: Home adviser
He emphasised the government's commitment to bringing criminals to justice
Stating that the law and order situation in the country has improved, with increased and ongoing efforts to maintain it, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said people are insisting that the interim government stay in power for five more years.
Speaking to local journalists in Sunamganj after visiting the Shantiganj Police Station today (10 April), he said, "Many people on the street are telling me that you [the interim government] should stay for 5 more years."
Responding to a question about India's potential move to send Sheikh Hasina back, he clarified, "We have an agreement with India for the repatriation of criminals. She could be brought back under this agreement. However, there is no reason to fear conflict between our two nations."
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He further emphasised the government's commitment to bringing criminals to justice, saying, "Those involved in criminal activities are being brought under the law. Anyone involved in such activities in the future will also face legal action. Some of our firearms were looted, and we are actively working to recover them. If recovered, the situation will improve. The cooperation of the local people is also essential in this effort."
Addressing the BNP's allegations of government failure to control recent mobs in Sylhet and Khulna, the adviser said, "Incidents might have occurred, but the government has taken necessary action. The overall law and order situation in Bangladesh remains normal. Any future incidents will also be dealt with under the law."
Tk500cr project on cards to develop agriculture in Sunamganj, surrounding areas
Turning to agricultural development in Sunamganj, Jahangir, who is also the agriculture adviser, said, "There is a significant amount of wasteland in Sunamganj that needs to be utilised. A project worth Tk500 crore is being undertaken for the development of agriculture in this region."
Following his visit to the Shantiganj Police Station, the adviser inaugurated and participated in discussions regarding the Boro paddy harvesting at the Deen Haor near Gobindapur village in Sunamganj Sadar Upazila. The Boro paddy harvesting ceremony was organised by the Sunamganj District Administration and the District Agricultural Extension Department.
During this event, Jahangir Alam assured, "There is no possibility of a food crisis in the country this year. By the grace of Allah, crop production has been good this year, and we have sufficient foodgrain stocks. The government has already fixed fair prices for paddy at Tk36 per kg, rice at Tk49, and wheat at Tk36 per kg."
Addressing farmers' concerns about the safety of the Boro crop protection dams in the haor during storms, the adviser said, "If farmers are worried, then the engineers of the Water Development Board responsible for the construction and maintenance of the dams will also be equally concerned. The government is seriously looking into this matter."
He emphasised the government's firm stance against middlemen in the procurement of paddy from farmers.
"The government will directly procure paddy from farmers to eliminate the benefits for middlemen. If there are allegations of any syndicate harming farmers in the sale of paddy, we will take action and rectify the situation," he added.
