Law enforcers aware of plans to sabotage election: IGP

Saboteurs have plans to create panic among citizens with loud explosions and cocktails on election day, Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said.

"Law enforcement agencies know the saboteurs' plans surrounding the upcoming 12th national elections. They had planned to create panic among the public on election day by causing loud explosions or detonating cocktails," he said during a security briefing organised at Willes Little Flower School and College in the capital on Friday.

He added that any such attempts to spread fear would not be successful.

On the issue of planned sabotage, he said, "Police are fully prepared, and no acts of sabotage will be tolerated. There might be isolated incidents, but police have prevented all significant nationwide sabotage attempts."

Regarding the security of polling centres, the IGP said security arrangements had been made at each centre starting on Friday.

When asked about virtual rumours in past elections and the police's role in combating them in the current election, scheduled for 7 January, he said, "Various police units are working in the cyber world. They are managing all activities using technology."

Regarding hartals, the police chief said, "People of Bangladesh are focused on elections. Everyone will go to the polling centres in a festive environment."

The IGP also said adequate security measures had been taken for all high-risk centres.

"Various law enforcement agencies, local administration, and returning officers are working together on a unified platform," he added.

Meanwhile, the Fire Service and Civil Defence have set up a central monitoring and coordination cell to tackle any potential mishaps, particularly fire incidents, on election day.

The Central Monitoring and Coordination Cell will work alongside the central control room, collecting and managing information on accidents across the country, reads a fire department press release.

All leaves for fire station employees have been cancelled according to the directives from the Director General of Fire Service, Brigadier General Md Main Uddin.

Trained volunteers associated with the fire service have also been instructed to remain prepared alongside firefighters. 

The fire service urged citizens to contact their local fire station, divisional control room, or the central control room hotline, 16163, for immediate assistance.

Emergency services are also accessible through the mobile number 01730336699