Why is the Home Affairs Advisor holding a press conference at 3 AM?

Home Affairs Advisor Holds Late-Night Press Conference Amid Rising Law and Order Concerns

• Press Conference at 3 AM:
  Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury held a press conference at his residence at 3 AM on Sunday. He stated that Awami League allies were attempting to destabilize the country.

• Questions Over Timing:
  The timing of the press conference has raised questions—why was it necessary to hold it so late at night? Could it not have been scheduled in the morning? Many believe the advisor did not provide any urgent updates, making the press conference’s urgency unclear.

• Calls for Resignation Intensify:
  The press conference took place amid growing demands for the Home Affairs Advisor’s resignation. On Monday, the organization Bangladesh Against Rape and Atrocities led a mass march from the Central Shaheed Minar to the Home Ministry, demanding his resignation. On Sunday at midnight, students at Dhaka University also protested, citing his failure to control kidnappings and criminal activities. Protesters set a deadline for his resignation by 1 PM today.

• Concerns Over Rising Crime:

  • The protests were triggered by viral videos of violent robberies in Dhaka.
  • One video showed a man being shot and stabbed by robbers on motorcycles in Banasree, with police later confirming the incident.
  • Another robbery video from Mohammadpur surfaced on social media, though its authenticity remained unverified as of Monday afternoon.
  • Reports emerged that a mosque in Hazaribagh used its microphone to warn locals of an alleged robbery attempt.

• Government’s Response:
  Addressing the concerns, the Home Affairs Advisor stated that Awami League allies were using foreign funds to destabilize the country and that the government would take all necessary measures to prevent this.
  He assured that law enforcement agencies had been directed to increase patrols and take immediate action to curb crime. He warned that failure to enforce these measures would result in action against law enforcement officials themselves.

• Growing Public Fear:
  The new interim government, formed after the fall of the Awami League government in July, is facing major challenges regarding law and order. Rising incidents of robbery, public harassment, and sexual violence have left citizens fearful, even during the day.

• Student Protests Continue:
  Students from several universities across Bangladesh have been organizing demonstrations to protest the worsening law and order situation. They continue to demand the resignation of the Home Affairs Advisor.

• Public Reaction:
  Following the late-night press conference, poet Imtiaz Mahmud commented, "Journalists attending a 3 AM press conference should be mindful of their watches, mobile phones, wallets, and microphones."