NCP leaders, coordinators and election candidates getting weapons licenses and gunmen

Staff Correspondent

Dr. Yunus’ interim government has taken steps to strengthen the security of those involved in the July-August protests and riots against the Awami League government last year, their coordinators and potential candidates for the national parliamentary elections. As part of this, four top leaders of the National Citizens Party (NCP), including its convener and former advisor to the interim government, Nahid Islam, have been given gunmen for personal security.

The family of the deceased Osman Hadi is also being brought under special security. It has been decided to give a gun license and gunman to one of Hadi’s sisters. In addition, round-the-clock police security will be ensured for other family members.

Multiple high-level sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the police have confirmed this information.

Meanwhile, several politicians and parliamentary candidates have applied for gunmen and weapons licenses. Among them, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has been requested to deploy a full-time gunman and armed police to guard his residence.

Similarly, security has been sought for several other leaders, including Jatiya Party (JP) Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju, Barrister Andalib Rahman Partha, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Col. (retd.) Oli Ahmed, Mass Solidarity Movement Chief Coordinator Jonayed Saki, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Yunus Ahmed Sheikh.

Home Ministry sources said that so far, about 15 politicians have applied for security, gunman or weapons licenses and the number is increasing. Many are inquiring about the application process. Along with the politicians, about 25 government officials have also applied for weapons licenses.

In this regard, IGP Baharul Alam said that those who are at high security risk have been given one armed guard each. And those who are at relatively low risk have been given necessary advice on their movements – instructions are also being given on where, when and to whom to report information.

A senior police officer said that security measures are being taken after analyzing information from various intelligence agencies. Those who have been identified as important people and those who are considered by the intelligence agencies to be a security risk are being prioritized by making a list.

Many applicants have sought not only gunmanship but also weapons licenses. However, the approval of weapons depends on the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the district administration.

He further said that the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and the Special Branch of the Police (SB) have also started providing gunmen on a limited scale. However, due to the high demand, it is not possible to provide gunmen to everyone. Priority is being given to those who pose a ‘potential threat’.

The implementation of gunman recruitment is complicated due to the fact that many applicants are students, ride rickshaws or use public transport – and thoughts are also being raised on a solution to this problem.

It has been learned that no one has been officially given permanent gunmen yet. Those who have been given by the DMP and SB are under temporary and informal arrangements. A final decision on providing permanent security will be taken after the application reaches the ministry.

Additional IGP (Crime and Ops) Khondaker Rafiqul Islam said that necessary measures are being taken for those who have sought security from among the July Movement fighters and parliamentary candidates. Not all are applying through the police headquarters—some are applying through SB, some through other units.

He said, “Although the number of July fighters and election candidates is large, not all are at equal risk. Necessary instructions have been given to the SPs, Range DIGs and Metropolitan Police Commissioners of the concerned districts to ensure the protection of those who are considered to be at real security risk.”