The Home Ministry has directed the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to increase surveillance for the upcoming elections in three cities.
"We have already taken stringent security measures to maintain law and order during the elections in three cities," the Home Ministry wrote to the Election Commission secretary on Tuesday.
This is part of an action plan for the city corporation elections in Rajshahi, Sylhet and Barishal scheduled for July 30. A final notice will be issued once the Election Commission gives the green signal.
"Necessary deployments of forces have already been made at different strategic points. Every entry and exit points are being monitored closely," he said adding that they will take tough action against the troublemakers.
A senior police official, preferring anonymity, told the daily Observer that the government had ordered the law enforcing agencies to remain alert.
Following the order, each police station across the country has prepared a list of Jamaat, Chhatra Shibir, Jubo Dal and Chhatra Dal leaders at ward, union, upazila and district levels for taking action against them if they break discipline.
The district administration and police should have a joint meeting in order to maintain peace. The returning officers will coordinate the deployment of law-enforcement agents in polling centres and other parts of the cities, the circular suggests.
Law-enforcement agents will be deployed to those three cities to tighten security, said EC Joint Secretary Farhad Ahmad Khan. They will be on duty from July 28 to July 31.
Border guards, RAB personnel, executive and judicial magistrates and a mobile strike force will be deployed in addition to the police in line with the EC's requirement.
In a meeting on Thursday, representatives of law-enforcement agencies stressed the need for surveillance to curb criminal activities and risks of violence on the eve of the elections.
Necessary directives have been given to ensure a peaceful environment and a 'level-playing field' during the election, he said. Law-enforcement agents, however, have been instructed not to harass anyone, Farhad said.
"We requested them not to harass anyone in the name of law enforcement. The environment must be free from intimidation."
In a recent incident, three hand-made bombs were blasted near the meeting site of the BNP mayoral candidate in Rajshahi on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the ruling Awami League has asked its leaders and activists to remain alert to counter BNP anarchy.
