The Bangladesh Army has stated that it is fully prepared to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election in Cox’s Bazar. To prevent any untoward incidents surrounding the election, enhanced security measures have been put in place across the district, including intensified surveillance in the Rohingya camps.
These details were shared at a joint forces press briefing and exchange meeting held at 11:00 am on Tuesday (10 February) at the Cox’s Bazar Cultural Centre.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir Ahmed of the 10th Infantry Division, Ramu Cantonment, said that a sufficient number of army personnel have been deployed across South Chattogram and the Cox’s Bazar region. Temporary camps have been established for each polling centre, and deployment plans have been prepared and implemented based on risk assessments.
“We are giving equal importance to all polling centres, not only those identified as risky,” he said. This guarantees a prompt response in the event of any accident or unexpected situation. Multiple rehearsals have already been conducted. During the election, if any situation emerges, we will be able to respond swiftly and effectively.”
He added that the deployment of army personnel this time has significantly increased compared to previous elections.
Regarding security in the Rohingya camps, Lieutenant Colonel Tanvir said that additional patrols have been intensified ahead of the election. Checkpoints have been set up, fencing has been installed, and damaged sections have been repaired. The army, APBn, and other law enforcement agencies are continuously monitoring the camps and surrounding areas.
Expressing optimism, he said, “Through the combined efforts of the army and other forces, we hope to deliver a smooth, fair, and peaceful election. We remain on the highest level of alert to ensure that Rohingyas cannot disrupt the election process in any way.”
Earlier, at a separate press briefing, Colonel Supta stated that between 3 and 9 February, 46 joint operations were conducted in South Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar under army leadership, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies. During these operations, 59 criminals—including top-listed terrorists, drug dealers, robbers, members of juvenile gangs, smugglers, and suspects in various cases—and 1,149 Rohingyas were arrested.
The operations also led to the recovery of six illegal firearms, 14 rounds of ammunition, 114 locally made sharp weapons, 8,450 pieces of yaba tablets, 2,311 litres of locally brewed liquor, 49 litres of beer, and various materials used for subversive activities. After preliminary interrogation, the arrested individuals were transferred to the respective police stations for further legal action.
Present at the press briefing were Senior ASP Md Faruk of RAB-15, Major Nazmus Sakib of BGB Ramu Sector, Major Omar Faruk (G-2, Intelligence), and Additional Superintendent of Police Ahmed Payer of Cox’s Bazar Sadar Circle.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
