Desk Report:
Giving a stern warning about maintaining impartiality in performing duties in the 13th National Parliament election and referendum, Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd.) said that if the Coast Guard or law enforcement members are involved in implementing any person, party or political agenda, departmental and strict legal action will be taken against the concerned member.
The advisor said this in his speech as the chief guest at the “Bangladesh Coast Guard Medal Presentation 2026” program organized by the Coast Guard at the Bangladesh Coast Guard Headquarters in Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday (February 03, 2026) morning.
The advisor said that the government will not show any leniency in the issue of impartiality of the Coast Guard or law enforcement members in performing duties in the upcoming 13th National Parliament election and referendum. He said that strict action will be taken against those who will act unethically in the elections, act unjustly out of greed, avoid responsibility, and neglect their duties.
Highlighting the contribution of Coast Guard members, the advisor said that the Coast Guard is working bravely to ensure security in coastal areas and inland waterways, prevent illegal fishing, suppress arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, robbery and piracy. In addition, the force is also successfully conducting rescue operations for accident-hit vessels and sailors through regular patrols.
Praising the role of the Coast Guard in combating natural disasters, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that the role of the Coast Guard in raising awareness among the coastal people in cyclones, floods and other disasters, rescue and relief distribution, distribution of winter clothes and life jackets, and resolution of the Rohingya crisis is highly commendable. The advisor said that in addition to preventing human trafficking, arms and drug smuggling by ensuring security in the border river areas, the Bangladesh Coast Guard is also playing an important role in ensuring regional maritime security. In recognition of this contribution, various countries including the United States and Australia have praised the force and expressed their interest in working together.
In the context of the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections and referendum on February 12, the Home Affairs Advisor said that about 900,000 law enforcement officers, including 3,585 members of the Bangladesh Coast Guard, have been deployed across the country to ensure free, fair, peaceful and impartial elections. As part of this, 100 platoons have already been deployed in different districts of Barisal, Chittagong and Khulna divisions. Terming corruption as the biggest enemy of the state, the advisor said that corruption corrodes state institutions from within and destroys the trust of the people.
At the event, 40 Coast Guard members were awarded medals for their meritorious contribution in the performance of their duties.
Coast Guard Director General Rear Admiral Md. Ziaul Haque presided over the event, and Home Ministry Senior Secretary Nasimul Ghani spoke as a special guest.
Later, in response to a question from journalists at the press briefing, the Home Affairs Advisor said, some violence is happening on the occasion of the elections, but it is not increasing. The rate of violence is much lower compared to other national elections. Law enforcement agencies are working in this regard. He said, most of the incidents of violence that have occurred are due to internal conflicts and groupings of political parties – which is a little difficult for law enforcement agencies to suppress. However, we are trying. He added, all those concerned in this regard need to be patient and aware.
