Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said no criminal, regardless of their influence or political affiliation, will be granted immunity.
He asserted that political identity will not be a factor in law enforcement decisions, and offenders from any party will be apprehended and brought under the law.
The adviser made these remarks at a media briefing following a special meeting at the conference room of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Bangladesh secretariat on Wednesday (6 November).
The meeting was focused on reviewing the law and order situation in the Dhaka Metropolitan area.
According to the adviser, the session primarily discussed strategies to further improve law and order in Dhaka.
"The law and order situation has improved compared to before, though there remains room for enhancement," he noted.
He highlighted the success achieved in stabilising Mohammadpur’s security, suggesting that this model would be extended to other areas of Dhaka for city-wide improvements.
Addressing Dhaka’s traffic issues, he pointed out that unauthorised street vendors were a major challenge.
Relevant authorities have been directed to remove these establishments.
Additionally, he acknowledged that pedal and battery-powered rickshaws on main roads contributed to congestion.
Measures will be implemented through the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to limit battery charging for these vehicles at designated points, he added.
He also instructed law enforcement to take necessary action against extortion.
During the meeting, several key issues were discussed, including coordination among law enforcement agencies, increased intelligence surveillance, and measures to curb crimes such as theft, robbery, abduction, and extortion.
Specific locations—like Mahakhali, Gabtoli, and Sayedabad bus and truck stations, along with the floating markets of Jatrabari, Karwan Bazar, and Kaptan Bazar—were noted for concentrated efforts to eliminate extortion activities.
The session also reviewed efforts to identify and eliminate drug hotspots, step up anti-drug operations, intensify recovery of illegal firearms, and counter mob justice incidents.
Plans were discussed to bring high-crime areas, such as Geneva Camp and various slum locations, under CCTV surveillance.
Additionally, it was decided that all public gatherings must receive approval from Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), and arrangements would be made to shift rallies from Shahbagh to Suhrawardy Udyan.
To curb youth gang activities and illegal sidewalk occupations, and to prevent extortion on footpaths, effective measures will be implemented.
Surveillance will also be increased to address fraud, digital scams, currency smuggling, stock market volatility, and essential goods price manipulation.
The session covered comprehensive traffic control measures to manage congestion across Dhaka city.
The meeting, chaired by the Home Affairs Adviser, was attended by senior officials including Dr Md Abdul Momen, senior secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs; AKM Shahidur Rahman, director general of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB); Md Mainul Hasan NDC, Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police; Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Dhaka Divisional Commissioner, and other senior law enforcement officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan area.
