Dhaka, Dec 13 (V7N)- Home Affairs Advisor to the interim government, retired Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has said that candidates contesting the upcoming national elections will be granted permission to possess personal firearms if they apply for a license. He also stated that individuals who have previously surrendered their licensed weapons will have those firearms returned.

The advisor made the remarks while briefing journalists at the Secretariat on Saturday.

He further said that strict instructions have been issued to immediately arrest those involved in the attack on Osman Hadi, describing the incident as an attempt to disrupt the upcoming elections. “There will be no leniency for those involved in this attack. Any attempt to sabotage the election process will be dealt with firmly,” he said.

The Home Affairs Advisor also announced a Tk 5 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the attackers. He added that the interim government has taken special security measures to protect frontline fighters of the July uprising.

Responding to a question, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there is no concern regarding the security of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.

It may be noted that Osman Hadi was shot by unidentified assailants while traveling in a rickshaw in front of the Bijoynagar water tank in the capital at around 2:15 pm on Friday. According to police sources, two men on a motorcycle shot him at close range before fleeing the scene.

Hadi was initially taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition. After undergoing surgery, he was later transferred to Evercare Hospital for advanced treatment.

END/SMA/AJ